NZ Herald
  • Home
  • Latest news
  • Herald NOW
  • Video
  • New Zealand
  • Sport
  • World
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Podcasts
  • Quizzes
  • Opinion
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Viva
  • Weather

Subscriptions

  • Herald Premium
  • Viva Premium
  • The Listener
  • BusinessDesk

Sections

  • Latest news
  • New Zealand
    • All New Zealand
    • Crime
    • Politics
    • Education
    • Open Justice
    • Scam Update
  • Herald NOW
  • On The Up
  • World
    • All World
    • Australia
    • Asia
    • UK
    • United States
    • Middle East
    • Europe
    • Pacific
  • Business
    • All Business
    • MarketsSharesCurrencyCommoditiesStock TakesCrypto
    • Markets with Madison
    • Media Insider
    • Business analysis
    • Personal financeKiwiSaverInterest ratesTaxInvestment
    • EconomyInflationGDPOfficial cash rateEmployment
    • Small business
    • Business reportsMood of the BoardroomProject AucklandSustainable business and financeCapital markets reportAgribusiness reportInfrastructure reportDynamic business
    • Deloitte Top 200 Awards
    • CompaniesAged CareAgribusinessAirlinesBanking and financeConstructionEnergyFreight and logisticsHealthcareManufacturingMedia and MarketingRetailTelecommunicationsTourism
  • Opinion
    • All Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Editorials
    • Business analysis
    • Premium opinion
    • Letters to the editor
  • Politics
  • Sport
    • All Sport
    • OlympicsParalympics
    • RugbySuper RugbyNPCAll BlacksBlack FernsRugby sevensSchool rugby
    • CricketBlack CapsWhite Ferns
    • Racing
    • NetballSilver Ferns
    • LeagueWarriorsNRL
    • FootballWellington PhoenixAuckland FCAll WhitesFootball FernsEnglish Premier League
    • GolfNZ Open
    • MotorsportFormula 1
    • Boxing
    • UFC
    • BasketballNBABreakersTall BlacksTall Ferns
    • Tennis
    • Cycling
    • Athletics
    • SailingAmerica's CupSailGP
    • Rowing
  • Lifestyle
    • All Lifestyle
    • Viva - Food, fashion & beauty
    • Society Insider
    • Royals
    • Sex & relationships
    • Food & drinkRecipesRecipe collectionsRestaurant reviewsRestaurant bookings
    • Health & wellbeing
    • Fashion & beauty
    • Pets & animals
    • The Selection - Shop the trendsShop fashionShop beautyShop entertainmentShop giftsShop home & living
    • Milford's Investing Place
  • Entertainment
    • All Entertainment
    • TV
    • MoviesMovie reviews
    • MusicMusic reviews
    • BooksBook reviews
    • Culture
    • ReviewsBook reviewsMovie reviewsMusic reviewsRestaurant reviews
  • Travel
    • All Travel
    • News
    • New ZealandNorthlandAucklandWellingtonCanterburyOtago / QueenstownNelson-TasmanBest NZ beaches
    • International travelAustraliaPacific IslandsEuropeUKUSAAfricaAsia
    • Rail holidays
    • Cruise holidays
    • Ski holidays
    • Luxury travel
    • Adventure travel
  • Kāhu Māori news
  • Environment
    • All Environment
    • Our Green Future
  • Talanoa Pacific news
  • Property
    • All Property
    • Property Insider
    • Interest rates tracker
    • Residential property listings
    • Commercial property listings
  • Health
  • Technology
    • All Technology
    • AI
    • Social media
  • Rural
    • All Rural
    • Dairy farming
    • Sheep & beef farming
    • Horticulture
    • Animal health
    • Rural business
    • Rural life
    • Rural technology
    • Opinion
    • Audio & podcasts
  • Weather forecasts
    • All Weather forecasts
    • Kaitaia
    • Whangārei
    • Dargaville
    • Auckland
    • Thames
    • Tauranga
    • Hamilton
    • Whakatāne
    • Rotorua
    • Tokoroa
    • Te Kuiti
    • Taumaranui
    • Taupō
    • Gisborne
    • New Plymouth
    • Napier
    • Hastings
    • Dannevirke
    • Whanganui
    • Palmerston North
    • Levin
    • Paraparaumu
    • Masterton
    • Wellington
    • Motueka
    • Nelson
    • Blenheim
    • Westport
    • Reefton
    • Kaikōura
    • Greymouth
    • Hokitika
    • Christchurch
    • Ashburton
    • Timaru
    • Wānaka
    • Oamaru
    • Queenstown
    • Dunedin
    • Gore
    • Invercargill
  • Meet the journalists
  • Promotions & competitions
  • OneRoof property listings
  • Driven car news

Puzzles & Quizzes

  • Puzzles
    • All Puzzles
    • Sudoku
    • Code Cracker
    • Crosswords
    • Cryptic crossword
    • Wordsearch
  • Quizzes
    • All Quizzes
    • Morning quiz
    • Afternoon quiz
    • Sports quiz

Regions

  • Northland
    • All Northland
    • Far North
    • Kaitaia
    • Kerikeri
    • Kaikohe
    • Bay of Islands
    • Whangarei
    • Dargaville
    • Kaipara
    • Mangawhai
  • Auckland
  • Waikato
    • All Waikato
    • Hamilton
    • Coromandel & Hauraki
    • Matamata & Piako
    • Cambridge
    • Te Awamutu
    • Tokoroa & South Waikato
    • Taupō & Tūrangi
  • Bay of Plenty
    • All Bay of Plenty
    • Katikati
    • Tauranga
    • Mount Maunganui
    • Pāpāmoa
    • Te Puke
    • Whakatāne
  • Rotorua
  • Hawke's Bay
    • All Hawke's Bay
    • Napier
    • Hastings
    • Havelock North
    • Central Hawke's Bay
    • Wairoa
  • Taranaki
    • All Taranaki
    • Stratford
    • New Plymouth
    • Hāwera
  • Manawatū - Whanganui
    • All Manawatū - Whanganui
    • Whanganui
    • Palmerston North
    • Manawatū
    • Tararua
    • Horowhenua
  • Wellington
    • All Wellington
    • Kapiti
    • Wairarapa
    • Upper Hutt
    • Lower Hutt
  • Nelson & Tasman
    • All Nelson & Tasman
    • Motueka
    • Nelson
    • Tasman
  • Marlborough
  • West Coast
  • Canterbury
    • All Canterbury
    • Kaikōura
    • Christchurch
    • Ashburton
    • Timaru
  • Otago
    • All Otago
    • Oamaru
    • Dunedin
    • Balclutha
    • Alexandra
    • Queenstown
    • Wanaka
  • Southland
    • All Southland
    • Invercargill
    • Gore
    • Stewart Island
  • Gisborne

Media

  • Video
    • All Video
    • NZ news video
    • Herald NOW
    • Business news video
    • Politics news video
    • Sport video
    • World news video
    • Lifestyle video
    • Entertainment video
    • Travel video
    • Markets with Madison
    • Kea Kids news
  • Podcasts
    • All Podcasts
    • The Front Page
    • On the Tiles
    • Ask me Anything
    • The Little Things
  • Cartoons
  • Photo galleries
  • Today's Paper - E-editions
  • Photo sales
  • Classifieds

NZME Network

  • Advertise with NZME
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • BusinessDesk
  • Newstalk ZB
  • Sunlive
  • ZM
  • The Hits
  • Coast
  • Radio Hauraki
  • The Alternative Commentary Collective
  • Gold
  • Flava
  • iHeart Radio
  • Hokonui
  • Radio Wanaka
  • iHeartCountry New Zealand
  • Restaurant Hub
  • NZME Events

SubscribeSign In
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Home / Entertainment

'I feel cheated': Elton John fans react to news of show postponements

NZ Herald
18 Feb, 2020 11:44 PM7 mins to read

Subscribe to listen

Access to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. Subscribe now to listen.
Already a subscriber?  Sign in here

Listening to articles is free for open-access content—explore other articles or learn more about text-to-speech.
‌
Save

    Share this article

Pneumonia-struck Elton John performs 'Bennie And The Jets' and 'Tiny Dancer' at Mt Smart Stadium. Video / Chris Tarpey

Elton John fans have expressed their disappointment that the star rescheduled his remaining Auckland shows on doctor's orders.

And Sunday night ticketholders have slammed the fact partial refunds won't be paid out after the show was cut short, putting him at odds with New Zealand consumer advocates.

It was announced late last night that his two remaining Auckland shows have been rescheduled for January 2021.

The Rocketman singer revealed he was diagnosed with walking pneumonia on stage at Sunday night's concert and was forced to cut his set short.

He had previously rescheduled Tuesday's show to tonight, but the remaining New Zealand shows were canned because his voice wasn't up to scratch.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Promoter Michael Chugg told The Hits breakfast show: "Unfortunately a decision (on the next concerts) was made yesterday afternoon, early evening that his voice hasn't recovered adequately ... he couldn't hit the notes, couldn't do the scales. To keep going would be a disappointment for Elton and everybody.

"Because he's in the middle of his world tour, the only times would have been dead in the middle of the NZ winter ... so we moved to January."

Some Elton John fans who saw the star on Sunday are demanding full refunds. Photo / Supplied
Some Elton John fans who saw the star on Sunday are demanding full refunds. Photo / Supplied

Ticketholders react:

Chas Bennett

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

"I am a Sunday night Elton John attender. I say refund a third for a partial concert. I feel cheated - only 15 of 25 songs played. It was not two hours, it finished at 9.13pm. It was obvious instrumentals were extended. Some of the most famous songs were not played. Chugg is not giving people a fair go."

Vikki and Chalky

"$600+ [was] spent months ago on two tickets. Saw him with Billy Joel at Mt Smart years ago and he had lost his voice then also. Luckily Billy Joel carried concert by singing Elton's songs so well. Who knows what will happen in 11 months. Want refund now."

Graham Ward

Discover more

New Zealand

Elton John takes to stage in Melbourne as world tour continues

25 Feb 08:15 AM

"I was one of a party of eight at his first concert cut short as he started our old favourites.

"Of course the sellout crowd was disappointed after his on-the-button start at 19.30, for his Daniel attempt to fail at exactly 21.19 (so we didn't get two hours as protested by a self-serving promoter), and I agree with Consumer NZ who say that there was a contract which simply wasn't met.

"So as much as we feel sorry for him, we didn't get our money's worth and I think EJ should throw $1m (the unexpired concert time valued far greater than $1m) at some Kiwi charities such as Kids Cancer or Teenage Suicide as a compensation for those who missed out, just like he's magnanimously done for the fire appeal in Aussie."

READ MORE:
• Sir Elton John cancels two Auckland concerts, defers to January; promoter adamant no refunds for first abandoned show
• Elton John forced to can Auckland shows, concerts rescheduled for next year
• Elton John forced to can Auckland shows, concerts rescheduled for next year
• Elton John: Fans entitled to partial refund after Auckland concert cut short - Consumer NZ

View this post on Instagram

I want to thank everyone who attended tonight’s gig in Auckland. I was diagnosed with walking pneumonia earlier today, but I was determined to give you the best show humanly possible. I played and sang my heart out, until my voice could sing no more. I’m disappointed, deeply upset and sorry. I gave it all I had. Thank-you so much for your extraordinary support and all the love you showed me during tonight’s performance. I am eternally grateful. Love, Elton xx 📷 @bengibsonphoto

A post shared by Elton John (@eltonjohn) on Feb 16, 2020 at 1:30am PST

Michelle Pollard

"My sister and I brought a ticket for my Mum for Sunday night's show. Since we weren't so keen to go at the time we got her quite a nice one near the stage to give her the up-close experience since she would be going alone. She has been a fan since the early days to the point that I'm even named after one of his songs. Her best friend had been the concert at Mission Estate and raved about it so she was really looking forward to all the banter and stories of his life over the years. In that sense she really felt like she really only got about 1/4 of a show on Sunday as she not only missed out on almost half the songs, but all of the banter.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

"I emailed Ticketmaster yesterday after your Consumer NZ article requesting a refund or alternatively a discount code for the remaining shows.

"At this point I really want to give my Mum the opportunity to see the full show she missed out on as it's her last opportunity to see him in concert. Any refund she gets will instantly be put towards the purchase of more tickets. Given how poorly people missed out on Sunday I feel it is only fair that they give those ticket holders some sort of make good at least towards the remaining concerts. Surely offering us a refund in this manner is the least they can do?"

Anonymous

"Our show was originally pushed back one week because he attended the Oscars. Thankfully we didn't have flights or accommodation booked then so didn't lose out. But this time, grrr.

"We flew up from ChCh on Monday, find out via the news on Monday arvo that the Tuesday show had been pushed to Wednesday. So we rescheduled flights (extra $350), had to add an extra night of accommodation ($180), extra night of car storage ($30), extra day of annual leave at work plus extra food and travel expenses from that extra day.

"The extra cost is ridiculous when it should've just been canned Monday instead of making everyone reschedule and fork out more. A change in date and saying 'sorry for the inconvenience' simply isn't enough. I appreciate Elton is sick and health comes first but so much money has been wasted and that needs to be recognised. I'm sure Chugg has got his back.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

"At the very least I would expect a full refund on concert ticket, but still having them valid for next year. I'll definitely be exploring options for further refunds."

Others were adamant the star's health should come first.

Other fans say Elton John's health should come first. Photo / Supplied
Other fans say Elton John's health should come first. Photo / Supplied

Teri Mitchell

"Hi I'm very sorry to hear about Elton John being sick and obviously wish him a speedy recovery. I plan to ask for a refund as it's a long time until the next concert date and I'm a busy mum who will probably have something else arranged by then. It certainly seems a long time for the organisers to hold on to our money! I know there will be many very disappointed fans like myself but Elton's health must come first.

Elizabeth Hanham

"I'm wondering what would stop the concert being rescheduled again should Elton be unable to sing in Auckland after a year long tour of some 100+ concerts over the next 11 months. However I would rather hear a healthy Elton John sing than a sick one."

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Tracey Drummond

"Went to Sunday's show - loved what we got but didn't get to fill my boots as the show was cut short. Not keen on a refund - I'd just love to see the rest of the show. Perhaps Elton could run an extra show or half show next Jan for those affected by Sunday's performance.

"First dibs for those that held tickets and then opened to general sale if people don't take It up. This was a dream concert for me $600 ticket - just sad I never got to see him perform some of the key hits which are at the tail end of the playlist. Hope Elton Makes a quick and full recovery - he's a legend and a superstar!"

Mike Howard

"Had a great time watching a powerful concert from Elton and his brilliant band on Sunday. Real pity he couldn't complete it but we had two hours of great experience.

"No need for any refund and no need for you lot in the media to dark things up. No-one would wish Elton's voice loss on anyone - just one of those things and callers for refunds are most unreasonable - especially the media who were probably there on freebies!

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

"All the best Elton - you are a true professional."

Save

    Share this article

Latest from Entertainment

Entertainment

Inmates deliver surprising reaction to Sean 'Diddy' Combs verdict

08 Jul 03:46 AM
Opinion

The 10 blockbuster movies you need to see before you die, according to our experts

08 Jul 02:00 AM
Entertainment

10 best blockbuster movies you need to watch before you die

Sponsored: Get your kids involved in your reno

sponsored
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Latest from Entertainment

Inmates deliver surprising reaction to Sean 'Diddy' Combs verdict

Inmates deliver surprising reaction to Sean 'Diddy' Combs verdict

08 Jul 03:46 AM

'We never get to see anyone who beats the government.'

The 10 blockbuster movies you need to see before you die, according to our experts

The 10 blockbuster movies you need to see before you die, according to our experts

08 Jul 02:00 AM
10 best blockbuster movies you need to watch before you die

10 best blockbuster movies you need to watch before you die

'So sorry': Robert Irwin apologises after not paying for meal

'So sorry': Robert Irwin apologises after not paying for meal

07 Jul 11:16 PM
Sponsored: Why heat pumps make winter cheaper
sponsored

Sponsored: Why heat pumps make winter cheaper

NZ Herald
  • About NZ Herald
  • Meet the journalists
  • Newsletters
  • Classifieds
  • Help & support
  • Contact us
  • House rules
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use
  • Competition terms & conditions
  • Our use of AI
Subscriber Services
  • NZ Herald e-editions
  • Daily puzzles & quizzes
  • Manage your digital subscription
  • Manage your print subscription
  • Subscribe to the NZ Herald newspaper
  • Subscribe to Herald Premium
  • Gift a subscription
  • Subscriber FAQs
  • Subscription terms & conditions
  • Promotions and subscriber benefits
NZME Network
  • The New Zealand Herald
  • The Northland Age
  • The Northern Advocate
  • Waikato Herald
  • Bay of Plenty Times
  • Rotorua Daily Post
  • Hawke's Bay Today
  • Whanganui Chronicle
  • Viva
  • NZ Listener
  • Newstalk ZB
  • BusinessDesk
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • iHeart Radio
  • Restaurant Hub
NZME
  • About NZME
  • NZME careers
  • Advertise with NZME
  • Digital self-service advertising
  • Book your classified ad
  • Photo sales
  • NZME Events
  • © Copyright 2025 NZME Publishing Limited
TOP