Amandeep Walia eagerly anticipated watching Ne-Yo and Akon perform in Calgary for months. However, instead of enjoying the show, he and his wife faced lengthy delays at the Scotiabank Saddledome, both to enter and for the performance to commence. Walia expressed his disappointment at the disorganization, estimating the night’s expenses at around $700, covering tickets, a babysitter, and food.
Attendees with floor and lower level seats were confined to the concourse while the venue was still being prepared. Initially slated for 8 p.m., the Jun. 20 concert was rescheduled to 9 p.m., eventually starting at approximately 10:45 p.m.
Walia emphasized that the delayed start impacted the overall experience, despite the show being impressive once it began. He highlighted the frustration of missing out on the full concert experience due to the delay.
This summer has seen several high-profile concerts with significant delays, such as Jay-Z’s final show at Yankee Stadium starting after midnight and Harry Styles’ concert in Mexico City being postponed due to heavy rain.
Entertainment lawyer Kurt Dahl explained that concert tickets offer consumers limited rights, primarily guaranteeing the seat purchased and some form of a show. He noted that ticket agreements often include clauses allowing for event time changes, giving promoters flexibility in case of schedule alterations.
Ashish Sharma from the Consumers Council of Canada highlighted the lack of statutory rights for customers in cases of significant concert delays, suggesting the need for legislation to provide refunds similar to flight delays. Sharma emphasized the importance of promptly informing fans about any major delays.
As live entertainment spending increases, consumers are bearing additional costs beyond the ticket price, including parking, accommodation, travel, and time off work. Live Nation and Ticketmaster acknowledged the frustration caused by late performances but noted that delays do not automatically entitle ticket holders to refunds.
Dahl suggested that public pressure may offer consumers more leverage than contractual agreements in addressing concert delays. Ultimately, while Walia appreciated the show put on by Ne-Yo and Akon, he believed that some form of compensation, such as a rebate or credit towards a future event, should be provided to attendees inconvenienced by the delay.