A fortunate few Jon Bon Jovi fans will still be watching the megastar perform this weekend in Vancouver, but thousands of ticket holders to his cancelled Stanley Park concert don’t even know if they’ll see a refund.
Bon Jovi’s touring company has announced he’ll be playing a small, exclusive show on Saturday for people who purchased Runaway Tours ticket packages at a cost of up to $1,995 U.S. each.
But that show, which will have an audience of just 175 people, has nothing to do with the massive concert organized by Paper Rain Performances that was called off this week just days in advance.
Despite that fact, Paper Rain sent an email to ticketholders on Tuesday that left many fans under the mistaken impression that their tickets will be honoured this weekend.
“Congratulations!” the email read. “Paper Rain Performances applauds the news that… Jon Bon Jovi will be coming to Vancouver on August 22nd to honour all of the ticket holders disappointed by yesterday’s postponement of the Stanley Park concert.”
“We are delighted by Jon’s unwavering support to his loyal fans. Bravo Jon Bon Jovi!”
Runaway Tours responded with a miffed-sounding message on its Facebook page clarifying that the VIP show, which will be performed acoustic at a yet-unannounced venue, is its own separate event.
It also described the email from Paper Rain as “NOT accurate.”
“They have no affiliation with Runaway Tours nor the right to send the email they sent. Sorry for the confusion but this event is NOT open to the public or replacing the originally scheduled show,” the company wrote.
The pricey Runaway Tours packages, which are sold out, include show tickets, a three-night hotel accommodation at the Westin Bayshore, a party cruise, and the promise of a question and answer session with Bon Jovi.
For now, fans who purchased cheaper seats appear to be out luck.
The question of refunds for Saturday’s cancelled concert also remains unanswered, and numerous calls from CTV News to Paper Rain Performances have not been returned.
“I’m out $800 dollars,” Bon Jovi fan Tamara Warner said. “Paper Rain hasn’t said anything to the ticket [holders].”
The promoter has insisted its outdoor concert has only been postponed, but no alternative date has been set and Bon Jovi has not agreed to appear.
Tickets to the event, which are no longer on sale, ranged from $39 for grass seating all the way to $595 for VIP experiences with food and shuttle service.
Paper Rain hasn’t said why the Stanley Park show was cancelled, but the Vancouver Park Board confirmed the promoter never paid for the permits required to stage the concert.
Bon Jovi’s touring company also alleged the promoter hasn't for staging, security and lighting vendors.
“The band was ready and willing to give a great performance on Saturday,” a spokesperson said in a statement on Monday. “Unfortunately, the local promoter, Paper Rain Performances has proven unable to guarantee a properly-produced event.”
With a report from CTV Vancouver’s Peter Grainger
