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And Finally Artist News Gigs & Festivals
Lionel Richie faces fan backlash after last minute cancellation of MSG show
By Chris Cooke | Published on Tuesday 15 August 2023
Lionel Richie has faced a backlash from fans in recent days after a sold out show due to take place on Saturday night at Madison Square Garden in New York was cancelled at the very last minute and rescheduled for yesterday evening.
Richie should already have been on stage on Saturday when he tweeted: “Due to severe weather and being unable to land in the NY and surrounding areas, I’m unable to make it to the show tonight. I’m so bummed. We are rescheduling the show to Monday 14 Aug. Can’t wait to perform for you all”.
That led to much chatter online as to just how severe the weather really was on Saturday in and around New York, with some claiming that the thunderstorms and torrential rainfall actually came later in the night.
Others noted that Richie had been performing in Boston the previous day, which is a four to five hour drive from New York, meaning the musician had other options if getting to the gig by plane wasn’t looking practical.
Alongside all the weather and travel experts, there were the fans that reckoned something else had gone on behind the scenes, and those who just felt that – whatever happened – it was all a bit of a shoddy way to treat fans. Still, others that were able to make the rescheduled concert yesterday have been posting some positive feedback about the gig.
And one also posted a clip of Richie acknowledging Saturday’s no-show. Recalling that his first time playing the New York venue was as support for the Jackson Five, he admitted to his audience: “In life, in my entire career, the thing you never think about is missing a show at Madison Square Garden”. So, that’s alright then.
