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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think concert cancelling has become far too prevalent

281 replies

MXVIT · 08/06/2023 13:41

and I think its a terrible precedent to have been set

I am probably just an unfeeling wench but I think it is dreadful how easy this has become to do, Lewis Capaldi taking three weeks off to be "Lewis from Glasgow" again bascially saying "I know you've forked out on hotels and travel, and thanks, but sorry"

For me it just shows a huge disrespect to fans. When you're a rich and famous star (all from the hard earned money from your fans) and all of the luxury that that life affords - you don't get to turn it on and off, and I'm sorry, but you don't get to put yourself first 100% of the time. Thats the trade off.

I would never buy tickets to concerts again after the spate of this happening. Adele, Sam Smith, Lewis etc.

AIBU ?

OP posts:
taxguru · 08/06/2023 14:32

Mariposista · 08/06/2023 14:23

It's interesting that it's the younger artists doing this, and it seems to be applying to every aspect of life. People of our grandparents' generation saw commitments as commitments, rather than being flaky, self centred individuals who always put no 1 first and that's acceptable. I don't recall Rod Steward, Tom Jones, Simply Red etc cancelling concerts willy nilly. Young people and their me me me poor me mindsets, and it will only get worse.

Indeed, Olivia Newton John did a performance on the day she heard her young GodDaughter died of cancer. It was one of the few times she mimed on stage - there's youtube footage of her performance and she was clearly emotional and struggling on stage, at one point close to collapse, but as she wrote in her book, she could hear her mother telling her "the show must go on" and she didn't want to disappoint her fans.

Later in her life, when her cancer had returned and left her in severe pain, she used to lie down crying in pain in her dressing room after her show, before she'd get up and go and do the meet and greet with fans, etc. She retired before things got too bad and before she was running the risk of having to cancel appearances.

She was definitely of the "stiff upper lip" generation who didn't want to let people down.

Aaron95 · 08/06/2023 14:33

Dartmoorcheffy · 08/06/2023 13:50

Completely agree. And it is always the snowflake generation too. Considering the astronomical cost of tickets these days too it's extremely selfish behaviour that shows no respect to the fans who have enabled them to get where they are.

Nothing to do with anyone being a snowflake. I have had tickets for concerts which were cancelled for Guns'n'Roses (twice), Led Zeppelin and even Motorhead. None of those were snowflakes. If the artists are unwell they can't go on stage and sing/play badly for 2 hours.

piedbeauty · 08/06/2023 14:34

I agree re Lewis Capaldi, and I feel for fans who have paid out already for hotels etc. I thought Capaldi was v unfeeling.

traytablestowed · 08/06/2023 14:35

Mariposista · 08/06/2023 14:23

It's interesting that it's the younger artists doing this, and it seems to be applying to every aspect of life. People of our grandparents' generation saw commitments as commitments, rather than being flaky, self centred individuals who always put no 1 first and that's acceptable. I don't recall Rod Steward, Tom Jones, Simply Red etc cancelling concerts willy nilly. Young people and their me me me poor me mindsets, and it will only get worse.

Rod Stewart: amp.theguardian.com/music/2023/mar/18/rod-stewart-cancels-a-day-on-the-green-in-australia-due-to-viral-infection

Tom Jones: www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/sir-tom-jones-collapsed-budapest-show-cancelled-surrounded-by-time-tour-2022-b1012094.html

Simply Red: www.stereoboard.com/content/view/234660/9

OfficerPastiche · 08/06/2023 14:35

Sissynova · 08/06/2023 14:02

Not being well in the environment you are working in doesn't mean you aren't "cut out" for something or that the only option should be to quit.

Do you not agree with employment laws at all? Do you not think people should be supported in the workplace, say during illness or pregnancy?

Is it only different when it's self employed? Or do normal working parameters stop mattering when you earn over a certain amount?

At the end of the day a great many people clearly came to the joint decision that LC couldn't perform these shows. LC doesn't call the shots, it will not just be his decision.

Show quote history

Temporary difficulties are different from being fundamentally unsuited to the role.
Gone are the days when you could make money as a recording artiste. These days performers have to, well, perform. Which is hard enough for those who love it, never mind those who don't.

HaudYerWheeshtYaWeeBellend · 08/06/2023 14:36

Lewis Capaldi taking three weeks off to be "Lewis from Glasgow" again bascially saying "I know you've forked out on hotels and travel, and thanks, but sorry"

YABU to cite Lewis as an example and minimising the reason for his cancellation.

Lewis is currently suffering from being burnt out, poor mental health and a flare up of his Tourette’s, forcing him to take a break and get treatment, he’s not chosen to take a 3 week jolly.

As much as singers promote themselves to carrying out tours, they are not unbreakable.

Most venues/hotels etc will allow you to rebook, some do take a minimal charge however most don’t.

Thesearmsofmine · 08/06/2023 14:36

taxguru · 08/06/2023 14:32

Indeed, Olivia Newton John did a performance on the day she heard her young GodDaughter died of cancer. It was one of the few times she mimed on stage - there's youtube footage of her performance and she was clearly emotional and struggling on stage, at one point close to collapse, but as she wrote in her book, she could hear her mother telling her "the show must go on" and she didn't want to disappoint her fans.

Later in her life, when her cancer had returned and left her in severe pain, she used to lie down crying in pain in her dressing room after her show, before she'd get up and go and do the meet and greet with fans, etc. She retired before things got too bad and before she was running the risk of having to cancel appearances.

She was definitely of the "stiff upper lip" generation who didn't want to let people down.

Show quote history

See, I read this in horror that she felt under that much pressure(be it from herself or others to do this) not in admiration for her carrying on.

Seasonofthewitch83 · 08/06/2023 14:36

taxguru · 08/06/2023 14:32

Indeed, Olivia Newton John did a performance on the day she heard her young GodDaughter died of cancer. It was one of the few times she mimed on stage - there's youtube footage of her performance and she was clearly emotional and struggling on stage, at one point close to collapse, but as she wrote in her book, she could hear her mother telling her "the show must go on" and she didn't want to disappoint her fans.

Later in her life, when her cancer had returned and left her in severe pain, she used to lie down crying in pain in her dressing room after her show, before she'd get up and go and do the meet and greet with fans, etc. She retired before things got too bad and before she was running the risk of having to cancel appearances.

She was definitely of the "stiff upper lip" generation who didn't want to let people down.

Show quote history

Sorry, read that again.

You think people grieving the deaths of children or crying in agony from cancer should be forced to perform with a stiff upper lio so you can have a little sing song?

What sort of raging entitled arsehole would think that is a better approach?

SliceOfCakeCupOfTea · 08/06/2023 14:36

taxguru · 08/06/2023 14:32

Indeed, Olivia Newton John did a performance on the day she heard her young GodDaughter died of cancer. It was one of the few times she mimed on stage - there's youtube footage of her performance and she was clearly emotional and struggling on stage, at one point close to collapse, but as she wrote in her book, she could hear her mother telling her "the show must go on" and she didn't want to disappoint her fans.

Later in her life, when her cancer had returned and left her in severe pain, she used to lie down crying in pain in her dressing room after her show, before she'd get up and go and do the meet and greet with fans, etc. She retired before things got too bad and before she was running the risk of having to cancel appearances.

She was definitely of the "stiff upper lip" generation who didn't want to let people down.

Show quote history

That's awful! And her fans are/were happy that she did that? She put herself so low down on her list of priorities she was literally suffering for other people's enjoyment?

Sissynova · 08/06/2023 14:36

@taxguru She retired before things got too bad and before she was running the risk of having to cancel appearances.

No she didn't, she cancelled an AUS tour after tickets had been sold.

She also cancelled a bunch of US shows.

SirenSays · 08/06/2023 14:36

It's very obvious he's unwell, anyone who claims to be a fan should know that. I think some of the attitudes on here are disgusting. We've seen over and over again that when some people can't cope they become addicts, alcoholics, they drop dead or commit suicide. I'd rather see a notification that a concert has been cancelled over one saying that he died.

taxguru · 08/06/2023 14:37

Seasonofthewitch83 · 08/06/2023 14:27

How would you have known about concerts being cancelled pre-social media?

Show quote history

Eh? There was communication before SM you know! We had things called newspapers, magazines, TV etc. Cancellation of shows/concerts would usually make the inner pages of newspapers and would certainly make the pages of entertainment magazines. Major star cancellations could well get a small mention towards the end of TV news programmes.

HaudYerWheeshtYaWeeBellend · 08/06/2023 14:40

If anyone has access to Netflix you should watch his documentary, he’s very frank on his struggles and has been frank with his newly/recently diagnosed Tourette’s and how him/his doctors are trying to help control the condition.

Gizlotsmum · 08/06/2023 14:40

Having been to some gigs where I really believe they should have cancelled due to the poor state of the singer ( obviously pushed far too hard to make someone money) I think it’s important their mental health and physical health is considered when planning tours, things happen unexpectedly and they are only human. It sucks as a fan but until touring schedules take into account burn out this will happen

LazyLeopard · 08/06/2023 14:43

I assume the poor guy was trying desperately to carry on, until he physically couldn't anymore.

Bobshhh · 08/06/2023 14:49

This is a semi educated perspective as someone on the outskirts of the industry.

Touring in the 60s /70s/80s was a bit different. It was still possible to make phenomenal amounts of money through album and single sales so touring schedules were likely to be marginally less intense.

Nowadays it’s the main income generator, which means margins are incredibly tight and schedules are insane. Couple that with easy access to booze and drugs, lack of exercise and potential poor diet and it’s a perfect storm.

There’s a huge pressure on musicians but even more than that their crew - who are working much longer hours than the artist. They don’t have the option to cancel because they’ll lose their salary. And if tours are cancelled there’s a good chance that insurance won’t pay out their salaries (depending on band size and financial resource).

GulesMeansRed · 08/06/2023 14:50

Maddy70 · 08/06/2023 13:51

It sounds as though he was having mental health issues. He's right to take time off as anyone should if they are unwell

He made a film about his mental health difficulties and Tourette's last year. This is a widely known fact.

Yet his management STILL went ahead and booked all these appearances which are now being cancelled. Someone in Lewis's family should be advocating for him, or he himself should be telling management that he is prepared to do X and Y, but that A and B are too much.

OfficerPastiche · 08/06/2023 14:51

Gizlotsmum · 08/06/2023 14:40

Having been to some gigs where I really believe they should have cancelled due to the poor state of the singer ( obviously pushed far too hard to make someone money) I think it’s important their mental health and physical health is considered when planning tours, things happen unexpectedly and they are only human. It sucks as a fan but until touring schedules take into account burn out this will happen

I wonder whether it's the manager, record company or a combination of all three?

Bands I like (like London Grammar) tend to rarely be on tour, I've noticed that Foil Arms and Hog my favourite comedy group are always on tour.

I suppose it also comes down to their alternative revenue streams. Brand endorsements, merchandise etc are all more profitable. And which Capaldi has a fair amount of ..

WaitUp · 08/06/2023 14:54

YABU

I have a friend who plays in a band for a famous singer. They’re under a huge amount of pressure and for cancellations to be made, something will be very, very wrong. The stories he’s told me are heartbreaking and I don’t know of any other industry where a person would be made to continue in some of the circumstances I’ve heard of.

If you think Lewis Capaldi would have had any say in what the statement said, you’re being very naive.

OfficerPastiche · 08/06/2023 14:55

Bobshhh · 08/06/2023 14:49

This is a semi educated perspective as someone on the outskirts of the industry.

Touring in the 60s /70s/80s was a bit different. It was still possible to make phenomenal amounts of money through album and single sales so touring schedules were likely to be marginally less intense.

Nowadays it’s the main income generator, which means margins are incredibly tight and schedules are insane. Couple that with easy access to booze and drugs, lack of exercise and potential poor diet and it’s a perfect storm.

There’s a huge pressure on musicians but even more than that their crew - who are working much longer hours than the artist. They don’t have the option to cancel because they’ll lose their salary. And if tours are cancelled there’s a good chance that insurance won’t pay out their salaries (depending on band size and financial resource).

And add to that the insane monopolisation of venues through Ticketmaster means artistes have to be very big or small to succeed. There's no middle ground.

fireflyloo · 08/06/2023 14:57

I had a concert cancelled about 7 years ago. Myself and 6 friends had booked flights/ trains and accommodation in the city it was happening. We went to the city anyway and had a lovely weekend but it cost me about £500. There's lots of people who just wouldn't be able to suck up that cost.

EwwSprouts · 08/06/2023 14:58

Call me a cynic but Glastonbury gets decent TV coverage.

Bluebells1970 · 08/06/2023 14:59

We went to see Coldplay last night in Cardiff - and I've just added up the tickets/travel etc and it was well over £600 for 4 of us. But, as amazing as it was (and I danced to every moment), it was their 89th show on this tour and it almost felt a bit impersonal if that's the word. Chris Martin is an amazing showman and carries 100% of it on his shoulders... the other band members went off at least twice for a good 5 minutes while he carried on, and they just played their instruments while giving nothing to the audience - very different to the other tours of theirs that we've seen. I came away feeling that they're in grave danger of losing themselves in some ways... and that it's just about making money on a huge huge scale.

Lewis Capaldi should never have been pushed to commit to that schedule when it's apparent how fragile his MH is. I feel very sorry for those who will lose money as a result of his promoter's greed.