Concertgoers are terrified. Live Nation is now offering refunds on select UK shows. Are the terrorists winning?
Following Monday’s tragic suicide bombing in Manchester, Ariana Grande cancelled the rest of her European tour. Now, many artists are cancelling their own European tours. Live Nation will also offer UK-based concertgoers refunds for those worried about terrorism.
To commemorate the first-year anniversary of the Brussels bombings, Salman Abedi blew himself up inside an Ariana Grande concert. The UK citizen turned Islamic State jihadist had methodically planned out the attack. Abedi killed at least twenty-two people. Ariana Grande escaped physically unscathed but emotionally traumatized.
The attack prompted several mainstream artists to postpone or cancel their concerts in the UK. Blondie cancelled their Tuesday show “as a mark of respect” for the victims. Take That also cancelled their performance on the same day as well as their upcoming Manchester performances May 25-27.
Some artists, however, won’t let the attack affect their planned performances.
Shawn Mendes stated that his show will go on. Challenging the jihadist strategy of invoking fear among the public, Mendes wrote on Twitter,
“I hope I speak for every artist by saying that we will not stop spreading positivity and love through music no matter the situation. Concerts are events people should never be afraid to attend.”
Earlier, Live Nation confirmed that they will offer refunds for cancelled Ariana Grande shows in Europe. Live Nation said in a statement,
“Due to the tragic events in Manchester, the Dangerous Woman tour with Ariana Grande has been suspended until we can further assess the situation and pay our proper respects to those lost. Refunds will be granted to all ticketholders at the point of purchase.”
Now, Live Nation will reportedly offer refunds for select artist shows in England. They still remain unsure, however, if this offer will also include worldwide shows, though it remains in discussion.
Live Nation insiders told TMZ that the company will make refunds available for:
- Katy Perry
- Iron Maiden
- KISS
- Robbie Williams
- Phil Collins
- Depeche Mode
- James Arthur
Update: The original post had not included the list of artists that Live Nation would reportedly offer refunds for. I apologize for this omission.
Live nation are now denying they offered refunds.
This is not true. Spoke to ticketmaster and they refused.
Also got a refusal from TM.