"Inglewood police dispatched a riot unit, and by 1:25 a.m. Sunday, more than 17,000 attendees had been sent home." -LA Times

Balcony climbin' @ Hard Summer '09 in L.A. Saturday night (downtownlobby)

A back door of the VIP section, where tickets began at $125, flew open and fans ran in from the parking lot in what [concert-goer Will] Fan described as a "stampede."

"We saw about 200 kids run right through the bar area," said the 35-year-old Sherman Oaks resident. "It was a little scary. I saw the bartender push one kid down, but everyone else just ran around him. Eventually, security was able to stop more people from coming in. But the kids ran out of the bar...and basically hopped over the balcony and onto the floor. Then the music stopped."

The sold-out all-night Hard Summer concert, which featured a lineup that included U.K. dance duo Underworld and Canadian electronic rockers Crystal Castles, was halted at about 10:50 p.m., according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department, which cited "hazardous life-safety things taking place inside the event."
[L.A. Times]

Hard Summer '09 @ L.A. Forum (beltran)

"We were required to shut down Hard Summer at The Forum Saturday [August 8th] night by the Los Angeles County Fire Department. They declared the event a "hazard" after seeing concert-goers jumping from the balcony to the floor. The Inglewood Police Department backed the decision of the Fire Department and assisted in clearing the venue.

While we, the promoters, worked with the authorities to consider other options to continue the concert, ultimately they made the decision to end it. We are happy to report that there were no major injuries.

We are offering refunds to all concert-goers and are deeply disappointed that the fans were not able to see this incredible show come to fruition." [official statement]

Underworld and Chromeo were among those who were supposed to play.

Hard Fest NYC is set to take place October 10th at Terminal 5 where we doubt any problems like that will happen. Crookers and Major Lazer (Soundsystem) headline, and tickets are still on sale.

LA refund info and the continued Hard Summer story with videos (showing people climbing, falling & jumping over railings and ledges), below...

Continue reading "chaos at HARD Fest LA causes shut down - people broke in, climbed over balconies, etc (VIDEOS) --- refunds available"

"PETA US has written to Michael Jackson's estate asking for the rights to the singer's first solo hit, "Ben," which was written for the 1972 film of the same name. This beautiful song is about the friendship between a lonely boy and a rat named Ben, and we hope it can be used to raise awareness about the plight of rats and other animals tormented in laboratory experiments." [PETA]

A tribute to Michael Jackson is taking place today at the Apollo Theater from 2-8pm. "The Reverend Al Sharpton and the president of the theater will give eulogies." People have been on line to get in to the Harlem venue since last night, and the outside of the Apollo has been a gathering place for Michael fans since the night he died. Nearby walls are adorned with personal messages.

AEG, the world's second largest concert promoter, stands to take some sort of hit from the cancellation of Michael's 50 London concerts. Yesterday they announced that, "full refunds, including the service fee charges, will be handed out to those who purchased from authorized resellers, including Ticketmaster, Viagogo, See or Ticketline. For detailed information on the how-to's of claiming the refund, fans are advised to go to MichaelJacksonLive.com from July 1, Wednesday."

AEG also released pictures taken by concert photographer Kevin Mazur at one of Michael's final rehearsals for the 50 shows. One of those pictures is above. A few more, and some old videos of Michael performing "Ben", below...

Continue reading "Michael Jackson tribute @ the Apollo today ++ final rehearsal pictures, London ticket refunds & BEN!"

Oasis @ Heaton Park, Manchester - June 4, 2009 (Man Alive!)

Oasis frontman Noel Gallagher has promised 70,000 fans their money back after two major power cuts during their gig in Manchester.

Technical problems plagued the band's first homecoming gig at Heaton Park on Thursday night, with the show being disrupted for half an hour.

Fans paid £45 for tickets for the show, the first time Oasis had performed in Manchester in four years.

Noel said: "Thank you very very much, this is a free gig - let's have it.

"Anybody who has kept their ticket will get a full refund." [BBC]

A similar situation went down in NYC recently at a Junior Boys concert, though Oasis will have to give back much more money than the Junior Boys will (and the Junior Boys show has been rescheduled).

Videos from the Oasis show (which make it seem normal) below...

Continue reading "Oasis offering refunds for last night's show in Manchester"

Janene Bushey, who is 53 and has seen Diamond 14 times, said, "I about fainted when he came out and said, 'Hello, Columbus,' because I knew something was wrong."

Neil Diamond @ MSG (more by Eric M. Townsend)

After a subpar performance Monday night in Value City Arena, Neil Diamond yesterday apologized and offered refunds to the 11,000 people who attended the concert.

"Dear Fans in Columbus," the singer said in a statement, "I haven't let you down before, and I won't let you down now. Until you hear from me again remember, You are the sun. I am the moon. You are the words. I am the tune. Forgive me. I love you. Neil."

Diamond, whose voice was extremely hoarse throughout the show, said yesterday that he is suffering from acute laryngitis. Ordered by doctors to rest his voice, he canceled his two other shows this week -- today in Green Bay, Wis., and Friday in St. Louis.

Some industry veterans said they'd never heard of a performer offering refunds because of the quality of the show.
[The Columbus Dispatch]

Remaining tour dates below...

Continue reading "Ailing Neil Diamond pledges refunds, cancels shows"