UB40 Gibbston gig cancelled

UB40 in Queenstown earlier this week. Photo: Louise Scott / Otago Daily Times

British reggae band UB40 has been forced to cancel its concert near Queenstown this evening.

Promoter Jackie Sanders said persistent rain today meant it was unsafe to hold the Red Red Wine Vineyard Concert at Waitiri Creek Winery in Gibbston as planned.

Support acts were Jason Kerrison and Herbs.

A last-ditch attempt to hold the concert indoors at the Queenstown Events Centre failed due to capacity restrictions at the Frankton venue.

That would have also meant doors would not have been able to be opened until about 9.30pm to enable production crew to set up the venue.

The band is due to play in Canterbury tomorrow and Auckland on Sunday, meaning there was no ability to postpone the concert.

Ms Sanders said everyone associated with the concert was "gutted" with the decision, but the band was determined to play Queenstown and would look to return in 2017.

About 3000 tickets were sold. Ticket holders could get refunds through the Eventfinda website.