Music fans hit a sour note this week as the much-anticipated concerts at Fenway Park ground to an unexpected halt. A structural hiccup with the stage meant that Shakira's Thursday night gig and the Jason Aldean with Brooks & Dunn Friday night hoedown were both no-shows, according to details from NewsCenter 5. Citing a backstage source, the concerts crumbled because the staging, well, just wasn't up to snuff.
Live Nation, the juggernaut behind these events, stated that during their regular pre-show rigamarole, they found "structural elements... not being up to standard." This is not the kind of surprise drop you want in music, but thankfully, they assured that "all team members are safe," as NewsCenter 5 reported. The Boston Inspectional Services, those unsung heroes who keep events from literally falling apart, also red-flagged the staging as not structurally sound, which is music to no one's ears.
The cancellations not only left the stage empty but also the hearts of many fans, some of whom had traveled considerable distances, as 7NEWS highlighted. "I don't believe it, I thought they were messing with me," said a dejected Juliana Restrupo, who had tickets to see Shakira, as per an exclusive interview with 7NEWS. Disappointment was the recurring theme amongst ticket holders; "Just frustrated, because I really want to see her," lamented Helaine Martins, who journeyed all the way from Brazil.
While some locals might just shake off the inconvenience and go grab a chowdah, it's a different tune for out-of-towners. Fans like Isabela Cunio, who flew in from Puerto Rico with hopes of swaying to Shakira's beats, were left with a silent night. "Obviously, safety is the most important, and I appreciate that they want to keep everyone on stage safe, all of us safe — so I can appreciate it, not mad," Cunio optimistically told NewsCenter 5. On the bright side, refunds are set to jingle back to customers via the ticket-selling services, though with sour notes regarding "five to seven business days," according to a beleaguered Nishita Kumar who had purchased the tickets back in January for a multi-celebratory occasion.
For many, though, the refund is hardly a consolation prize for the missed experience. As people like Jennifer Riordon, who had tickets to Aldean and endured the planning equivalent of a logistical circus, told 7NEWS, "I’ve had sitters planned for my dog, my kids planning out everything, so yeah, it’s definitely a disappointment." In the end, Live Nation advises that refunds will be available at the original point of purchase, a small salve for hearts and plans left in disarray.
