CHAOS erupted in Glasgow yesterday after 35,000 music fans were left stranded when a Green Day concert in Bellahouston Park was cancelled just two hours before it was due to start.
Organisers of the gig initially said the American punk-rock band could not play due to “adverse weather,” but the band themselves flatly rejected this, blaming an “unsafe” stage.
The last minute pulling of the event also left hundreds of staff on zero hour contracts out of pocket, with bar staff and tech, and event staff seemingly only being paid travelling expenses.
At about 1pm, organisers PCL Presents tweeted: “We are sorry to inform you that due to adverse weather conditions it is no longer safe for the bands to perform on stage and unfortunately today’s show will be cancelled. Tickets will be refunded from point of purchase within ten working days.”
However, on his Instagram, Steve Lagudi, a touring live sound engineer working with one of the support acts, wrote: “Well after a cold n rainy start there were just too many issues w the stage missing half the PA and the local crew being wayyyy behind, the show has been cancelled. Bummer.”
Though this, in turn, was contradicted by local crews.
In a Facebook post, the band said they were willing to play in “extreme” weather conditions, but safety of fans and crew was a priority.
“Glasgow, we are very sad to report that our show today at Bellahouston Park has been cancelled.
“The local safety council, production crew, and concert organizers have deemed the stage unsafe for the fans and everyone involved.
“We are very distraught about this as we are in Glasgow now and were very much looking forward to this show as one the highlights of our tour.
“We have been playing in extreme weather conditions throughout this European tour, and the last thing we want to do is see a show cancelled.
“We love our Scottish fans and we don’t care if its raining sideways, although the safety of our fans and our crew is always our top priority.”
One fan wrote underneath: “It’s not even raining now, what a fucking let down, I wonder if the hotel and travel money will be refunded as well as the tickets, I don’t think so somehow”
Another wrote: “Stood outside.. Cancelled 20mins before the gates open! Travelled miles, time off work, hotel booked, train ticket brought... Not on I tells ya! Not on!”
The National understands that organisers twice cancelled planned “handovers” with health and safety staff to have the event signed off.
Yesterday, the council made clear, it was not they who were to blame for the chaos.
A council spokeswoman said: “The decision to cancel the Green Day event was taken by the promoters and management of the band, not Glasgow City Council.”
Aside from the disappointed fans, there is thought to be at least 200 lined up to work on the night.
In a video shared online by one worker, a manager, understood to be Thom o’Donnell of On Point+ services, appears to tell staff that the best he can do is pay them their travel expenses.
Better Than Zero, the anti zero hours contract campaign group said: “This is exactly the problem with zero hour contracts: something goes wrong and staff left without pay and stranded. “ SNP MP Chris Stephens has written to PCL boss Paul Cardow, asking him to pay the staff hired for the gig.
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