Eminem No-Show puts Slane in shade

Noel Baker

The Irish concert, pencilled in for Slane Castle on September 17, is one of a string of gigs to be scrapped after the Kansas-born star claimed he was suffering from “exhaustion, complicated by other medical issues”.

All 80,000 tickets for the concert at the Co Meath venue had sold out in less than two hours, and yesterday, event organisers began the arduous process of refunding frustrated fans.

Concert promoters MCD apologised to fans of the rapper for any inconvenience caused. Full ticket refunds will be available from point of purchase from noon tomorrow.

“It’s a major disappointment and more so for the fans,” MCD’s Justin Green said. “Our main priority is to get the news out to them so that they can be refunded.”

He added that there was no possibility of allowing the concert, which would have included Eminem’s protege 50 Cent, to continue once the headline act was unable to appear. He said the shows will not be rescheduled.

Lord Henry Mountcharles, who had expressed his delight at the prospect of Eminem playing at his estate in September, told RTÉ Radio that the rapper would never again receive an invite to play at Slane.

“A lot of work, a lot of effort on many peoples’ part including my own was put into this and I’m not very happy about what has happened,” he said.

He said he was “stunned” when told the news and admitted the rapper’s decision would have negative financial consequences. He also claimed that past headline acts such as U2 and the Rolling Stones would never have cancelled a concert in such a manner.

“I consider myself a professional and I expect people in the music business to behave in an equally professional fashion. It is a great disappointment.”

Music fans still have the chance to enjoy some live concerts this weekend with the start of the Bud Rising series. The Chemical Brothers and Sonic Youth play Dublin’s Marlay Park tomorrow night and Basement Jaxx headline Saturday night’s event at the same venue. The Pixies headline a concert at Lansdowne Road on August 23, while Franz Ferdinand headline the final concert the following night, also at Lansdowne Road. MCD confirmed yesterday that tickets are still available for all four concerts.