If it was up to just the Foo Fighters they probably would have given a partial refund. However the concert was promoted by Live Nation using Ticket Master to handle the money. Live Nation is not known for doing anything more than the bare minimum for the the people that purchase tickets. The same thing happened to us several years ago. My daughter's had tickets to see Nick Jonas at Bethlehem PA. There was a thunder storm that broke about 15 minutes into the show. The show was cancelled and no refund was ever mentioned.
Bad weather is always a possibility with outdoor shows. Partial refund. Maybe a credit to use on their merchandise site would be fair. Remember when KISS cancelled their Canadian shows last minute? Everyone got refunds but people drove for hours, paid for hotel rooms, flew in from other places, etc. The one couple crashed and unfortunately died going there. That shut down border so no one could get across.
Ticketmaster and Livenation are a brutal monopoly in the concert business in North America. While pending severe weather ultimately presents a liability for the promoter and the insurers, policies in-regards to refunds are carved in-stone. Once the headliner performs a minimum of their contractual obligation NO refunds will be released. It is what it is on-paper.
If it's something the band are not in control of, like bad weather, I don't think they need to issue refunds. Maybe the organizer could have done more, like setting up extra gear on the mainstage to protect the band from the elements. I'm sure the crowd would have managed. What are the odds of an audience member getting hit by lightning? Especially with all the electronics and metallic structures around. It would hit the highest point first, long before striking the crowd.
The same thing happened here in Baden Baden germany on the Kiss End of the road tour. How did the ticketseller/ organizer react? They gave every ticket holder a gift card worth 50% of the ticket prize. The next concert ticket you bought was cheaper that amount of money. That was cool and fair.
Kinda like when Joe Perry had an episode during a Hollywood Vampires show 2 songs in. They finished the show but we felt jipped a little. Glad Joe was ok of course 👍
It's an interesting talking point, but I can't get past where you live: in the most concert-rich place in (probably) all of the world. I'm 9-10 hours away from you, and here's a comparison: KISS has performed within 3 hours of me ONLY twice, from 2013 to 2023. I quickly count at least 8-9 times KISS performed in your area (3 hours drive) in the last 4 years HAHA! RE: the specific Foo Fighters show, I think they 100% made the right call. First they made it about the fans, and when there was danger approaching they made it about safety. I am sure they will be back in your area within the next 6 months. :)
As I said on the show, I 100% agree with the decision. And I’ve seen the Foo Fighters 5 or 6 times now, so I wasn’t upset. Just makes for an interesting conversation to me. And, yes, I’m very lucky that where I live concerts are always close by and easy to get to.
You haven't mentioned that just because the band plays the next day and the staff come back What's the point if the stadium is nearly empty? Most people plan a concert months in advance and can only be there on one day Having said that they, the promoters or the ticket sellers are insured You can bet they still got paid
