Silverchair, Powderfinger gig axed in Palmie
Posted: Wed Sep 26, 2007 5:04 pm

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Palmerston North's highly anticipated Silverchair and Powderfinger rock concert has been canned.

Promoter Pacific Entertainment cancelled the gig after learning the 4000-capacity Arena 2 could not accommodate the show's lighting and stage demands.

Just more than 1000 tickets had been sold ahead of the Australian heavyweight rockers' October 20 appearance, with organisers estimating final sales would likely have exceeded 2500 - a figure still well short of capacity.

Fans now have the option to attend the Wellington leg of the New Zealand tour or receive a full refund.

The loss of the concert is a huge blow for Arena Manawatu, which has battled tirelessly to attract high-profile acts to the region.

Manager David Walsh said he was "absolutely gutted" by the announcement.

"Ticket sales were going well, so to lose it is incredibly disappointing," he said.

"We will look at Arena 2 at some stage to see what what we can do to handle shows of this size because we want to be a facility that can do that.

"If it means installing more lighting supports on the roof or finding ways to increase the stage size, then that's what we will do."

In 2005, Arena 2 was found to be too small to hold international netball tests after a $7.4-million revamp failed to deliver the necessary 4000 seats.

Mr Walsh said they had been preparing for the concert as required and had no inkling it could be pulled until told of the problems last week.

Tracy Magan, of Pacific Entertainment, said the show was simply too big for the venue and could not be scaled down without suffering a serious financial loss.

A stage twice the size of that available at Arena Manawatu was needed and much of the lighting and sound equipment also would not have been able to fit.

"We're bitterly disappointed it's had to be cancelled but there were a few too many hurdles to climb in this case," Ms Magan said.

"If it had looked like selling out then we would have kept it there but as it stands the cost of down-sizing the show to fit would be economically disastrous."

Ms Magan said she hoped fans would travel the short distance to Wellington so as not to miss out on the concert.

The double-header has received great reviews across Australia.

Mr Walsh said the setback wouldn't stop Arena Manawatu. Plans are at full throttle to host American production Thomas the Tank Engine and Kiwi favourite Brooke Fraser next month.

The cancellation does not affect Silverchair and Powderfinger's shows in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.

RE: Silverchair, Powderfinger gig axed in Palmie
Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2007 3:34 pm

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Sheesh, the lighting and stage demands?

If that's the real reason then that's pretty flimsy. That shit should be sorted out PRE-booking. Bad bad bad organisation. How about NOT incorprating such an elaborate set up? I go to see bands, not light shows and nifty backdrops.

Not that I care, can't stand either bands

RE: Silverchair, Powderfinger gig axed in Palmie
Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2007 4:50 pm

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I agree, go Thomas the Tank Engine!

RE: Silverchair, Powderfinger gig axed in Palmie
Posted: Sun Jun 1, 2008 12:29 am

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