Night at the Mission still in doubt, organisers quiet on possible replacement act

The 2010 Mission Concert when promoters put together their own Motown magic package. Photo / File

No news is good news — possibly.

That's the approach from Mission Estate Winery Concert buffs after braving another concert announcement deadline with still no news either way in the wake of last Tuesday's announcement that signed act Neil Diamond was retiring because of ill-health and would not be able to carry out his 50th anniversary tour engagement at Napier's big annual event on March 17.

Promoters SEL, of Sydney, and Mission Estate Winery have been trying to rescue the near-sellout concert by signing another top act, and some were speculating yesterday that the lack of a cancellation must mean there are hopes of a suitable replacement.

There was, however, also some impatience, with some taking to social media concerned about a lack of announcements on the concert's website and Facebook page since the original statement almost a week ago.

Promoters were initially reported to be hoping to make an on-or-off announcement within 48 hours, and then to be offering a deadline of yesterday.

Early last night neither promoter Garry Craft nor Mission Estate Winery chief executive Peter Holley were unable to be contacted to comment on the possibilities or on when a statement about the future of the concert may be made.

With possibilities of signing an otherwise uncommitted international act considered to be remote, with now less than seven weeks to show-date, promoters have also been considering top New Zealand acts and other options such as an independent production such as the Motown special in 2010.

First held in 1993, the Mission Concert was cancelled once because of rain and in one other year there was no concert because a suitable act had not been able to be confirmed for a date in the timeframe preferred by the winery.

"Any news as to who the replacement is?" asked one hopeful on Facebook late yesterday as thousands waited to hear whether they needed to get their refund and cancel travel and accommodation. Another said: "I know you are working hard and this is the worse situation but a little update wouldn't go astray."