In the world of music, cancelled gigs can be frustrating for both artists and fans. So when an event is postponed does the buzz die, or does it create greater anticipation? We investigate the online and real-life discussion around rescheduled music events.
From artists like Olly Murs to bands like Inhaler, event cancellation can be annoying, but sometimes unavoidable.
Sometimes the dreaded announcement can happen even hours before the show. The letdown can hit hard especially when fans have been counting down for months. It can mean wasted journeys, hotel rooms, money and time.
But here’s the twist, sometimes rescheduled gigs can be even better than the original – with more convenient dates, newer more favoured support acts, and more time to listen to new music. Some fans say the delayed gig builds more hype and improves the atmosphere on the day. Others however strongly disagree.
Due to illness, Irish band Inhaler cancelled their show in Manchester, hours before they were set to come on stage. They quickly rescheduled the show for fans for May in response to disappointment. However, the rescheduled event was met with excitement and positive reviews from fans.
One fan of Inhaler, Alex Daniels, 18, said: “The gig just felt more amplified than they usually do, we’d been waiting for two months and it just felt electric. It gave me more time to listen to the new songs on the setlist so I could sing along, as well. Even the support act was getting the crowd jumping.”
Despite the rainy weather the fans’ mood definitely wasn’t dampened as the gig had been rescheduled for a bank holiday weekend.
Jess Powell, 20, said: “ Yeah, it was disappointing at first, when we saw the announcement – I was literally at the train station in Leeds ready to go to Manchester. But when the new date was announced it felt much more convenient. It was a fab end to the bank holiday weekend, rather than it just being a random Friday in February.”
The band themselves expressed their gratitude for their fans’ support on their personal Instagram story saying: “Lots of love Manchester have always been so good to us, we owe you big time”. As well as telling the crowd at the gig :“You’ve been the best crowd ever, seriously.”
While mainly some fans remain positive in light of original disappointment, others can feel deflated and let down by music artists.
Olly Murs postponed shows back in April, and it is still uncertain if they will go ahead. He also cancelled his Glasgow show six songs into his set due to vocal issues, upsetting many of the concertgoers.
Hannah Brown, 36, and her daughter Maisy left the gig feeling disheartened by the cancellation. She said: “I get that health comes first but I think if things weren’t one-hundred-percent the concert should have been postponed before. We wasted our trip, and hotel all for six songs – so disappointing!
“I don’t even know what the situation with rescheduling other shows is, or if they will even happen because all the information is so unclear. At this point we’re just over it, to be completely honest. We might be getting refunded but it doesn’t cover travel costs, food or our hotel.”
So docancelled gigs kill the vibe or build the hype?
The general consensus seems to be this – it depends. Some fans will never get over a delayed show, especially if they put a lot of money and planning into it. Others will lean into the extra time, getting to know newer songs better and allowing excitement to build.
In the end it depends on timing, communication and the energy the artists bring to their rescheduled events, enabling them to turn the setback into a shared memorable night.
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