Editorial: Empty Mission Estate Concert paddock an opportunity lost?

Mission concert crowds fulled the paddock at last years show. Photo / Paul Taylor

Mission aborted. What a shame.

Yesterday signalled a sad day for a 26,000 already grieving Neil Diamond fan base.

The public (and hopefully organisers) spent the day conducting an autopsy on why there'll be an empty paddock on March 17.

What's indisputable is that Neil Diamond's Parkinson's disease diagnosis was an unforeseen curve ball.

But late cancellations are nothing new for this gig. Was it unsalvageable?

It'd be comforting to think promoters' protocol entailed shoulder-tapping a contingency act just in case they're needed.

However, even B-list performers bring with them a sizeable entourage that can't be mustered at short notice.

Coupled with that, let's remember music promoters move in the fickle world of showbiz and its consequent baggage of prima donnas, egos and in many cases working with those boasting the wealth to care less.

Did promoters seeking a replacement set their sights a tad too high?

Sure the concert needed a billing attractive enough to retain ticket holders' interest.

Yet maybe we underestimated the Mission's allure. It's a destination over and above the centrepiece act.

An A-list matcher for Diamond was never on the cards at such short notice.

Thing is, it's a fair assumption that those who had non-refundable flights and pre-paid accommodation would have been quite happy to settle for a sun-soaked weekend in the best little city in the country, listening to something semi-decent in a grassy paddock while sipping something cool from the birthplace of New Zealand wine.

Local bias? Probably.

Global sensation Neil Finn played in Waipawa's comparatively tiny Municipal Theatre last month. Despite size and location, the small-town theatre obviously wields some clout.

There's also an aspirational part of me that would like to think the depth in our national music scene would have sparked a collegial desire to ensure the viability of this country's rich heritage of live acts. (Not to mention the prospect of a decent pay packet).

But alas, promoters were seemingly met with a hotbed of cold feet.

Let's be positive. The concert date was set for St Patrick's Day so there was, and will be still, merriment on Saturday, March 17. Guinness, bless its chocolatey goodness, was yesterday's only winner.