The Vancouver company behind this weekend’s cancelled Jon Bon Jovi concert has filed for bankruptcy, casting blame on the rock star’s management for refusing a postponed show.
Paper Rain Performances issued a statement Wednesday saying Saturday’s outdoor concert in Stanley Park had to be called off because of lacklustre ticket sales. Some of the tickets the promoter offered were as low as $39, but many were tied to VIP experiences and cost as much as $595.
“The reality is that not enough tickets were sold to cover the cost of the artist and band’s fee, much less the other substantial costs involved,” the company said.
The statement is the first time Paper Rain has given a reason for the last-minute cancellation, which was announced on Monday after city officials revealed the promoter still hadn’t paid for the proper permits.
Paper Rain said it tried to boost ticket sales to allow the show to proceed, but claimed it saw little cooperation from Bon Jovi’s team.
“We were not allowed access to the artist for media interviews. We repeatedly requested access to collateral and marketing support materials but were advised that such materials did not exist,” the promoter said.
Ultimately, Paper Rain said it requested to postpone the show, but Bon Jovi’s team “flatly and repeatedly refused.” It filed for bankruptcy shortly after.
The news still doesn’t shed light on whether ticket holders will be receiving a refund – a question that’s lingered since the day the concert was cancelled.
Earlier on Wednesday, CTV News contacted Paper Rain president Dennis MacDonald for an update, but was given few answers.
“We’re just trying to figure out right this very second,” MacDonald said. “I’m just on my way over to a lawyer and insurance company to get that figured out, I really can’t tell you much at the moment.”
Asked directly whether ticket holders would be compensated, MacDonald hung up.
The Tourism Vancouver-run Tickets Tonight, which sold tickets to the event, has since issued a statement promising more information on potential refunds is coming.
“We are assessing what [the bankruptcy] means and will continue our efforts to recover funds for ticket refunds,” it said.
Paul Korzilius of Bon Jovi Management also released a statement announcing the artist's team is trying to "make this right for our fans."
"We're exploring legal remedies but all that matters now is that we're working to fix the mess Paper Rain has created," Korzilius said. "More on that tomorrow."
Bon Jovi Tours has accused the promoter of dropping the ball organizing Saturday’s show by failing to procure stage materials or pay for security and lighting.
In its bankruptcy announcement on Wednesday, Paper Rain said it did have a creative design completed, and that some other aspects were ready to go.
“The traffic management plan, safety plan and security plans were all in place; porta-potties had [been] secured and catering negotiated,” Paper Rain said.
Bon Jovi's touring company has already promised people who purchased Runaway Tours show and hotel packages, at a cost of up to $1,995 U.S. each, will be treated to an intimate acoustic show at an undisclosed venue.
