The Hydro delays opening show
Bocelli concert is moved back as early shows at venue are reorganised
TICKET holders have criticised a decision by Scotland’s major new music venue, The Hydro, to reschedule shows days after denying it was hit by building delays.
Italian opera singer Andrea Bocelli was due to play the first performance in the £125 million arena in Glasgow on September 15, but it has been moved back to November. A Peter Pan production is now to be staged in the SECC.
EXECUTIVES at Scotland’s major new music venue have come under fire after being forced to reorganise and reschedule shows days after denying it was hit by construction delays.
Italian opera singer Andrea Bocelli was due to play the first performance in the Hydro arena in Glasgow, which is costing £125 million to construct, on September 15 this year.
But yesterday managers confirmed they were rescheduling the show to November, causing anger among fans.
Another event, Peter Pan – The Never Ending Story, starring Stacey Solomon, scheduled at the Hydro from September 27 to 29 is now to be staged in hall four of the SECC’s main building.
The Herald revealed on Saturday the new venue could open in late November due partly to a £9m dispute with its main contractors Lend Lease, with board members warned forthcoming gigs at the venue could be cancelled.
But operators, the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre, said the reorganisation of the opening had nothing to do with construction delays, but was because it wanted Rod Stewart as the opening concert on September 30.
However, it has angered fans, who have lodged complaints with the Hydro. They had been buying tickets for the Bocelli show since January.
Caroline Smith, from Northern Ireland, had flights and a hotel booked for the show.
“Totally peeved – just found out this morning after we have flights and hotel booked,” she said.
Alexander Young said on the Hydro Facebook page: “It’s a bit of a joke since lots of people, including myself, have already made arrangements for Andrea Bocelli. Maybe tickets shouldn’t be sold if there are doubts regarding dates.”
Music fans were also raising questions with the Hydro about what other shows could end up being affected. Other sell-out acts earmarked to play include Fleetwood Mac, Bruno Mars and Simple Minds.
At the weekend, the SECC strenuously denied the 12,000-seater venue, sponsored by Scottish Hydro, was two months behind schedule.
An official statement from the SECC gave no explanation for the re-organisation and no information about how fans could get their money back if they could not make the alternative date.
The statement said: “The original timescale for our opening act has now changed... All tickets will remain valid and will be available in due course.
“We are truly grateful to the artists, management, cast and producers for their co-operation in this matter.”
Ticket agencies said that anyone who was unable to attend the concert on the new date should contact their original point of purchase for a refund.
An SECC spokeswoman said: “We have always maintained that the venue would be ready to open for business in September and that remains the case.
“Andrea Bocelli was never intended to be the first concert, but negotiations with the opening artists have taken some time to organise given their tour and other commitments. We will still be ready to open with Rod Stewart at this fantastic new venue in September.”
Meanwhile, it was announced that Stewart will play a second night at The Hydro on October 2, due to “phenomenal demand”.
The star will finish his UK tour with his performance at The Hydro.