Aerosmith has canceled its performance on Saturday at a rock festival in Greater Kaohsiung, according to the band’s official Web site.
In an announcement dated on Sunday, the band said it was forced to cancel two festival performances — one that was to be held in Shanghai tomorrow and another in Greater Kaohsiung on Saturday — because the “local promoter [was] unable to meet contractual obligations.”
The band did not elaborate on the problems.
“Aerosmith shares the disappointment of their supportive fans in Shanghai and Taipei and they hope to see them soon,” the statement said.
Very Aspect Culture Group, the promoter for Aerosmith’s Greater Kaohsiung gig, said the problem originated in Shanghai and carried over to Taiwan.
“There were some problems related to technical issues and ticket sales in Shanghai,” a group spokesman said.
“It’s kind of complicated,” he added, saying the cancelation could cost the company NT$60 million (US$2 million).
Aerosmith was scheduled to perform as part of the “Rock Sonic Day in Kaohsiung” festival at the Kaohsiung National Stadium, which can hold about 55,000 people.
The other bands scheduled to appear at the concert are the Japanese groups Flow and Man with a Mission, along with Taiwanese acts Matzka (瑪斯卡), and Wu Bai (伍佰) and his band, China Blue.
With Aerosmith’s pullout, ticket prices for Rock Sonic Day have been slashed by 40 percent, Very Aspect Culture Group said, adding that people who have already purchased tickets and still attend the event will receive a 40 percent rebate after the concert.
It said it has also asked Wu Bai to extend his group’s originally hour-long performance to 100 minutes.
Ticket holders who want to get a full refund because Aerosmith will not perform can go to www.twinklerockfestival.com to get more information, the promoter said.
The concert was originally scheduled to run from 1pm to 9:30pm, but the promoter has not yet issued a revised schedule.
Asked about the legal issues that caused Aerosmith to cancel, Very Aspect Culture Group said it was discussing the situation with its lawyers and would comment on them when the picture became clearer.
“But we would still love to invite Aerosmith to perform in Taiwan again,” it added.
Aerosmith’s Web site also posted messages from band members, expressing disappointment at the cancelations.
Lead singer Steven Tyler was quoted as saying the band was extremely upset at having to disappoint its dedicated fans.
“They have welcomed us into their country and due to uncontrollable circumstances we will not be able to perform,” Tyler said. “We were so excited to share our music with them and look forward to one day returning and giving them the show they deserve.”
Guitarist Joe Perry, bassist Tom Hamilton and drummer Joey Kramer expressed regret that they were forced to withdraw due to “circumstances beyond our control.”
“We’ve looked forward to this for a lifetime,” Perry said.
“I sincerely hope Aerosmith will get another opportunity to come back to Shanghai and Taiwan to play for our many fans there,” Kramer said.
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