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When is a gig not a gig?

When it's a festival.


That's the distinction that has left a number of music fans unhappy this weekend.

The Saturday night show at Cardiff Castle was due to be headlined by Rag 'n' Bone Man, but he unfortunately had to pull out of the show because of health issues. Event organisers rushed to fill his spot with Craig David's TS5, but many within the 9,000 strong crowd felt they were owed some money back.


The technical aspect is that the event was a festival and not a Rag 'n' Bone Man gig - he just happened to be the main draw. Organisers said they were in their rights to make necessary changes to the line-up, and it was advertised that way.


While many were happy with the show, despite the enforced change, some pointed out that they had bought tickets purely on the strength of Rag 'n' Bone Man's promised presence. Jane Massey from Tonypandy purchased her tickets when Rag 'n' Bone Man was the only confirmed act. "I understand people are unwell. But I feel something should be offered, were it a partial refund or money off another event."


Mark Sadler from Newport was taking his son Dan, to his first ever concert. "He loves Rag 'n' Bone Man and I'm into Faithless DJ [another main act], so it was something for both of us. It's all well and good they found a replacement but didn't offer a refund."


Other attendees were not so put-out by the situation. One told BBC Wales News Facebook page, "If you don't read the T&Cs yet click to agree with the payment, then you can't moan. It is unfortunate and does happen but they also worked around the clock to fix a replacement."


A spokesperson for organisers Depot in the Castle said, "We pulled out all the stops to provide a replacement for Rag 'n' Bone Man at the eleventh hour; Craig David and his team put on a phenomenal for us."


While you might feel a bit sorry for these punters, it was clearly a festival set-up and there is always a chance things will change with line-ups - and there is always a risk when you buy your ticket a long way in advance, when only one act has confirmed, that you won't like all that much when you get there.


(From BBC News, 11 July 2022)

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