Green Day 'distraught' after Glasgow show cancelled Published duration 4 July 2017

Promoters have blamed bad weather for the decision to cancel a concert by Green Day in Glasgow, only hours before it was due to begin.

The American band had been set to perform in Bellahouston Park on Tuesday.

However, promoters PCL said the show had been cancelled because "adverse weather conditions" meant it was "no longer safe" for the bands to perform.

In a statement on their website Green Day said they were "very distraught".

They said the stage was deemed "unsafe for the fans and everyone involved".

The band added: "We are very distraught about this as we are in Glasgow now and were very much looking forward to this show as one the highlights of our tour.

"We have been playing in extreme weather conditions throughout this European tour, and the last thing we want to do is see a show cancelled.

"We love our Scottish fans and we don't care if it's raining... sideways, although the safety of our fans and our crew is always our top priority.

"We love you Scotland, we love the city of Glasgow and it goes without saying that we will be back."

image caption Signs have been put up at Bellahouston Park advising that the Green Day gig is cancelled

image caption Police Scotland said officers were at the park making sure ticket holders were able to get home safely

In a strongly worded post on Instagram , the band's bassist Mike Dirnt posted a video of himself next to a Saltire.

He said: "We are devastated and it... sucks that the show today has been cancelled due to safety issues.

"I know today's show would have been insane! I'm at a loss for words and so disappointed right now, but please know we will be back ASAP! Rage & Love."

image copyright Mike Dirnt image caption Bassist Mike Dirnt posted a video on Instagram of himself next to a Scottish flag

Disappointed fans have also voiced their anger at the last-minute announcement.

Charlotte Durcan, from Lincolnshire, said she and her family had travelled nearly four hours to attend the concert.

"We arrived safely, paid for parking, paid for our hotel, and at 13:45 received an e-mail to say that the concert has been cancelled," she said.

"We could have saved our money," she added.

"The hotel won't reimburse us as there is a 72-hour notice period. We will be staying there for one night only as we just came for the concert. We're not really sure how to pass the time now.

"It's my first time in Glasgow and it has ruined my Glasgow experience."

image caption The promoters announced the cancellation of the gig just half an hour before the gates were due to open

image caption The last-minute decision to cancel has raised questions over how well prepared the organisers were for the concert.

Many ticket holders took to social media to express their disappointment.

One said she was "absolutely devastated" by the decision, after waiting seven years to see the band perform in Scotland.

Others raised questions over the weather conditions, claiming that T in the Park and Glastonbury often go ahead in heavy rain.

It also led to queries about how well prepared the organisers were for the sell-out concert.

Glasgow City Council, which operates Bellahouston Park, said they did not tell the promoters to cancel the gig.

'Issues on stage'

They said the decision was taken by the promoters and the band's management, who informed the council of the move.

The promoters announced the cancellation on Twitter shortly before 13:30. The gates were due to open at 14:00. They said fans would receive refunds.

In a statement, they said: "Adverse weather conditions overnight and throughout the morning, during the bands scheduled load in, led to issues on stage.

"A meeting between the on site health and safety, event management, the artists representatives and promoters concluded that it would be unsafe in the timescale to proceed with the event."

Police Scotland said they had officers at the park advising fans that the gig was cancelled and ensuring that they got home safely.

Green Day were due to be supported by Rancid, Slaves and Skids.

Slaves hastily arranged a replacement gig, announcing on Twitter that the "good people of Glasgow still need a gig". It quickly sold out.