Lionel Richie canceled his sold-out Madison Square Garden show on Saturday night due to bad weather, leaving 20,000 fans disappointed.
The singer tweeted that he was unable to fly into New York City due to “severe weather and being unable to land in the NY and surrounding areas.” He said that he was “so bummed” and that the show would be rescheduled for Monday, August 14.
Due to severe weather and being unable to land in the NY and surrounding areas, I’m unable to make it to the show tonight. I’m so bummed. We are rescheduling the show to Monday Aug 14. Can’t wait to perform for you all. Tickets for tonight’s show are valid for the show on Monday.
— Lionel Richie (@LionelRichie) August 13, 2023
Fans were not happy with the cancellation, many of whom had spent hundreds of dollars on tickets and travel. Some fans took to social media to express their anger, with one Twitter user writing, “We bought our parents good seats for a lot of money for their 50th wedding anniversary. They’re 75 and were really looking forward to tonight’s show. Thanks for ruining the gift we got for them.”
Other fans questioned why Richie couldn’t have gotten to New York another way, such as by train or bus. One fan tweeted, “Sounds like bad planning on your part @LionelRichie, trying to fly in at the last minute. I’ll take a refund please – no thanks to Monday!”
Richie has not yet responded to the fan backlash. It remains to be seen whether he will offer refunds to fans who were unable to attend the rescheduled show on Monday.
In the meantime, fans are left to deal with the disappointment of having their concert canceled. Some fans may be able to make it to the rescheduled show on Monday, but others may not be able to. Either way, it’s clear that Lionel Richie’s cancellation has left a sour taste in the mouths of many fans.
