Janelle Monae Fans “Disgusted” Over Unjust Australian Tour Refunds

May 26, 2014

Punters are up in arms on the social media pages of Live Nation and Ticketmaster, accusing the companies of unfair practices after fans who attended the infamous Kimbra–Janelle Monae co-headlining show at The Forum were informed that they would only be receiving a 50% refund.

Following an opening set from Kimbra and a 30-minute wait, fans inside the Melbourne venue were informed by Monae’s band that the singer was ill and would not be proceeding with her scheduled set, and that fans would be compensated with tickets to the duo’s Plenary show.

After postponing their Sydney Opera House performance, all remaining dates on the pair’s highly anticipated Golden Electric tour were cancelled due to Monae’s illness. Tour promoter Live Nation has now begun contacting ticket-holders to the cancelled shows about refunding their money.

“Live Nation has advised that due to the inconvenience caused by the mid-show cancellation of the Janelle Monáe with Kimbra show which took place at the Forum Melbourne on Saturday 17 May 2014, a 50% refund of your total ticket value will be processed,” a Live Nation email reads.

The justification for only refunding half the ticket price is presumably that patrons were able to experience ‘half’ of the show before it was cancelled. However, press releases announcing the Golden Electric tour stated that there would be three sets, including a final joint performance.

“Considering I flew in from a different State just to see Janelle Monae, this is ridiculous that a full refund won’t be offered,” wrote one unhappy ticket-holder on Live Nation Australia’s Facebook page, while others say they are “disgusted” with the promoter’s “unacceptable” actions.

At the time, Monae, who told Music Feeds earlier this month that the tour would “enrich” fans’ lives and leave them “feel[ing] better about themselves after they see this show,” said that she was “devastated” about the cancellation of the tour and vowed to return in the not-too-distant future.

Gallery: Kimbra – Melbourne, The Forum 17/05/14

Photos by Samantha Thomson

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