Adam’s concert in Delhi cancelled

Agencies/New Delhi

Adams: fans disappointed

Police ordered Canadian rock singer Bryan Adams to cancel a concert in New Delhi yesterday just hours before it was to begin because of fears about public safety.

The NSIC exhibition centre had not been given its mandatory clearance certificate, police said, as media reported that far more tickets had been sold than the capacity of the venue.

"The organisers failed to explain as to how they would manage law and order inside the ground and traffic outside,” police officer V Chahal said.

"We cannot risk people’s lives. Everything has to be in place before the event begins.”

He said 20,000 people had been expected to attend, but was unable to give the venue’s official capacity.

However, organisers of the Micromax Bryan Adams Live in Concert India Tour are planning an alternative date and venue for the event in the national capital.

"Netsurf Entertainment are working towards finalising an alternative venue and date to reschedule the Bryan Adams concert in New Delhi since public safety is a priority,” a spokesperson for the organisers, said in a statement.

"The unexpected heavy rains in the city have made the venue very unsafe. Due to the success of prior shows in Pune, Mumbai and Bangalore, the police anticipated a huge crowd outside the venue, even though the organisers stopped selling tickets after 6,000 were sold,” the statement said.

However, the organisers have clarified that the five-city tour will continue as scheduled.

"Bryan is keen to perform in New Delhi and does not want to disappoint his fans. He will perform in Hyderabad tomorrow where all formalities have been undertaken,” the spokesperson added.

Fans were disappointed with the turn of events.

Rohit Chauhan, a resident of Chandigarh, who reached Delhi early yesterday for the concert, said: "I and my wife drove all the way down from Chandigarh for the concert and now we come to know that it will not happen today. I am really disappointed.”

Added Charu Singh, a student: "I cut down my pocket money to buy the Rs2,000 ticket for the concert and now am hearing that it will not happen. I am keeping my fingers crossed! I am a big fan of his and I really really hope it happens.”

Meanwhile, Bollywood actor Arshad Warsi, who along with other stars from the movie F.A.L.T.U. was expected to perform at the Delhi concert, has hinted that the event has now been planned for Sunday.

Adams is on a tour of India, Bangladesh and Nepal and will play two songs at the opening ceremony of the cricket World Cup in Dhaka on February 17.