Big slice of Meat Loaf now overdue

The first big concert at Tauranga's new indoor stadium promised to be a great start to a string of future events.

Rock n' Roll legend Meat Loaf was set to play to a sellout crowd at the Tect Arena at Baypark on Friday night.

But as excited fans rolled in to the stadium less than an hour before the opening act was due to start, they were shocked and disappointed to be turned away at the gates.

The singer, who had already arrived at the arena, had pulled out of the show.

As the evening progressed this newspaper learned that Meat Loaf's unpredictable health had once again seen him call off the show and it was postponed until tonight - three days after his Auckland concert.

While the star's health is of utmost importance and his fans appreciate this more than anyone, it is still unfair of such a seasoned performer to pull the plug with little warning.

Those with tickets who live in the Bay will most likely still be able to attend but what about those who travelled from around the country to attend?

It was reported in the Bay of Plenty Times Weekend on Saturday that some ticketholders had travelled from Gisborne and Pukekohe and it is understood some had come from as far away as Christchurch - they will be lucky if they can extend their travel plans as far ahead as today.

Let's hope that for Tauranga's sake there are not too many people seeking refunds and perhaps those who initially missed out are now able to pick some up.

But we report today that some ticketholders received the runaround trying to get a refund. An email was sent to those with tickets on Friday with details on how to get their money back - but lengthy calls to Ticketek on Monday revealed this was changed without notifying already frustrated ticketholders.

The last-minute postponement must have thrown the agency into some turmoil but it should be prepared for this. There will be more questions if people miss out on refunds because of this miscommunication.

No doubt Meat Loaf's Auckland fans would have also felt some apprehension on Saturday night as they waited for the rocker to appear on stage.

Fortunately, the concert at Vector Arena went ahead and from all reports it was a good show, although the 64-year-old did seem to show his age.

With three days to recuperate since this concert, there is no excuse for another cancellation.

The veteran rocker owes it to his fans, and this city, to put on a good show tonight.