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AIBU?

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Original poster

To be angry with the Arctic Monkeys?

217 replies

Dulra · 24/06/2023 08:11

Last night the Arctic Monkeys headlined Glastonbury. Three days earlier they were due to play a sold out gig in Dublin but cancelled it the day before stating the lead singer Alex Turner had laryngitis. He sounded pretty pitch perfect last night 🤔

The gig in Dublin sold out in minutes last September. My dd was due to go and was really upset and disappointed. She has just finished her state exams and had been really looking forward to it. Many people lost money in their bookings for hotel rooms, buses, trains because they cancelled so late people couldn't get refunds.

I just think it is so disrespectful to your fans but obviously the notoriety of Glastonbury is more important to them then their Irish fans. I certainly wouldn't book to see them again.

OP posts:
PuttingDownRoots · 24/06/2023 08:18

Maybe he was well enough as he had rested?

I find the concert industry mad to be honest... they sell tickets for dozens of shows a year plus in advance, followed by fans doing non refundable hotel and transport bookings and then there is surprise when the musicians get ill.

Waitingforsummer75 · 24/06/2023 08:20

DS saw them in London on Sunday, when he came home he said Alex's voice was cracking. He wasn't surprised at all when it was announced he had laryngitis. He's now rested his voice and was ok last night. He wouldn't have been ok to play Dublin.

I get it's disappointing but I'm sure you'd also be complaining if they had gone ahead and he'd been terrible or had to cut the concert short. He's only human.

Marteenie · 24/06/2023 08:21

Lots of artists prioritise Glastonbury it seems, Lewis Capaldi said as much in his statement. I absolutely think if an artist is poorly (physically or mentally) then of course they should take the time off that they need, its a shame if that means concerts are cancelled but it is what it is, but I can see why its annoying when surprise surprise all is fine when the festival which will get them more coverage has them.

sashagabadon · 24/06/2023 08:22

I think they book all the venues well before they confirm Glastonbury and then prioritise Glastonbury when the time comes. I think lewis capaldi did similar? I agree it shows a lack of respect for their audience for the cancelled gig but I guess it’s a business decision about what matters more to them and Glastonbury trumps Dublin. I think it’s a good idea for fans to take out insurance for gigs for top bands around Glastonbury time as it could happen. Or vote with feet and just not book tickets at all!

Willmafrockfit · 24/06/2023 08:23

their voice has to be right,
a sports player would rest up
a singer should also be able to rest.

Marteenie · 24/06/2023 08:24

PuttingDownRoots · 24/06/2023 08:18

Maybe he was well enough as he had rested?

I find the concert industry mad to be honest... they sell tickets for dozens of shows a year plus in advance, followed by fans doing non refundable hotel and transport bookings and then there is surprise when the musicians get ill.

It's greed mainly, touring is now the main income stream for artists rather than yesteryear where it would be album and single sales. Pushing artists until they burn out isn't good for anyone- the artists themselves or for people who as you say have booked travel and accommodation. When i was younger even big bands and artists would travel around the country more, ie instead of several in a row at the same massive stadium they'd go somewhere different every night; this was much better as people tended to just drive or get public transport rather than have to travel a long way and stay over.

Willmafrockfit · 24/06/2023 08:24

they dont have an understudy

booksandbrooks · 24/06/2023 08:28

I've made the decision not to book gigs that require a hotel stay. Artists seem more prone to cancelling these days.

Don't get me wrong. I'd rather Lewis Capaldi and whoever prioritised their well-being but I won't be travelling to see them unless its a festival with lots of acts or they play local to me.

If it makes you feel any better I know a few people who saw the artic monkeys in the run ip to Glastonbury said the sound was appalling and not up to precious standards, but again they were probably holding back. I guess I'll think twice about big May, June gigs too. If everyone is saving themselves.

Sparkletastic · 24/06/2023 08:29

I don't think his voice sounded pitch perfect last night. It sounded like he was delivering the lyrics in an odd speaking manner at times, presumably to protect it. They didn't put on a great show imho.

GoodnightJude1 · 24/06/2023 08:30

I saw them in Norwich a few weeks ago (they were amazing)
I’m pretty sure they’d have been gutted that they had to cancel a gig…but unfortunately it happens and if you can’t sing, there’s not much point doing it!
It’s gutting though….I had tickets to see Liam Gallagher and he cancelled coz he fell out of a helicopter and smashed his face in 🙄

They slowed quite a few of their songs down last night…maybe to suit Alexs’ poorly throat?!

IheartNiles · 24/06/2023 08:31

He looked rough last night and the show was poor.

Original poster
Dulra · 24/06/2023 08:31

I get that he needed to rest his voice but it obviously wasn't laryngitis you don't recover from that in 3 days. Also why cancel? They could have postponed to a different date? I was 3 hours online trying to get those tickets I wouldn't have minded so much if they postponed to a different date. Ironically they are still advertising it as their UK and Ireland tour well it's just UK you never played Ireland!

OP posts:
Bloodyleaverspartybollocks · 24/06/2023 08:32

They played in our town the other day. I heard they were shite anyway

Pkhsvd · 24/06/2023 08:32

It’s really disappointing but I do understand that if you feel you’re coming down with something it’s better to rest it than push through and make it worse for longer.
With how often concerts are cancelled now I always make sure that hotel rooms are cancellable and I don’t think I’d go to one that involved things that I can’t get refunds for with this in my mind. That’s not to criticise people who do but it’s a decision I made and has meant that I don’t book to go to as much sadly

wormshuffled · 24/06/2023 08:32

I'm angry that they didn't play When the Sun Goes Down.

chemistnightmare · 24/06/2023 08:32

You have had a lucky escape. They were bloody awful last night. I don't see what all the hype is about.

MrsJamin · 24/06/2023 08:33

DS went to see them last Saturday and could tell his voice wasn't quite right, so it wasn't made up.

Original poster
Dulra · 24/06/2023 08:34

IheartNiles · 24/06/2023 08:31

He looked rough last night and the show was poor.

Should have cancelled so.....chances are he may jeopardised future shows too for a 2 hour slot at Glastonbury. Cancelled shows must cost an absolute fortune and the ripple effect to local businesses supplying the gig

OP posts:
LlynTegid · 24/06/2023 08:34

I gave up after half an hour watching it as they seemed to be having an off-day.

As for bands and cancellation, what I would legislate against are all the hidden rip-off additional fees that some ticket agents charge.

FfeminyddCymraeg · 24/06/2023 08:34

He was really bad last night - you could tell he was/had been ill.

ShiteRider · 24/06/2023 08:37

Dulra · 24/06/2023 08:31

I get that he needed to rest his voice but it obviously wasn't laryngitis you don't recover from that in 3 days. Also why cancel? They could have postponed to a different date? I was 3 hours online trying to get those tickets I wouldn't have minded so much if they postponed to a different date. Ironically they are still advertising it as their UK and Ireland tour well it's just UK you never played Ireland!

Sounds like he’d had it for a while and had to rest it so that it would recover so I don’t think your statement about not recovering in 3 days is fair really.

Not that I particularly like him or them, and I do feel for your daughter.

Original poster
Dulra · 24/06/2023 08:37

LlynTegid · 24/06/2023 08:34

I gave up after half an hour watching it as they seemed to be having an off-day.

As for bands and cancellation, what I would legislate against are all the hidden rip-off additional fees that some ticket agents charge.

This! You get your ticket price back but not your booking fee. The monopoly ticketmaster has it outrageous we should go back to the days when you could buy a ticket in your local record shop 😀

OP posts:
sashagabadon · 24/06/2023 08:38

To be fair though a 2 hour slot at Glastonbury is worth 10 Irish gigs. In terms of exposure and sales. It just is, so makes sense to cancel Dublin to perform better at Glastonbury . It’s v annoying though and dies show disrespect but it’s just business imo.
anyone booking gigs for May/ June 2024 now needs to consider if the artist could be performing at Glastonbury 2024 and then decide whether to insure etc accordingly!

Sesimbra · 24/06/2023 08:39

YABU. It does sound like AT has had issues with his voice, judging on reports from recent gigs.

I used to be a professional singer and it’s horrible when your throat goes. It’s a tool, an instrument, but there’s no back up if it’s malfunctioning and there’s always that background fear that you might fuck it up permanently.

I don’t understand why people buy non refundable hotel rooms and train tickets for events that might be cancelled.

Willmafrockfit · 24/06/2023 08:39

shame for your daughter that they didnt rebook dublin for later,