Friday, September 17, 2010

Not too surprising

CBC is now reporting that a number of companies who provided services for concerts on the Halifax Common this summer haven't been paid. At least one of the companies quoted has indicated that they are owed a substantial sum of money (though exactly what that sum is was unstated).

After having viewed one of these shows from outside of the concert area, I can't say that I am surprised that funds are not flowing freely. Not only did it appear that not many people paid to attend the show, at least one seems to have made it in for free by hopping the fence.



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Also, after the concert it was reported that at some point during the final act the gates were opened and non-paying members of the public allowed to attend for free.

Anyway, when all of this is taken together with the fact that the acts were likely guaranteed a certain fee I don't see how the concert promoters couldn't have done anything but lose their shirts on this show.

And though at least one of the unpaid companies has indicated that they are confident they will eventually be paid, that they have participated in a story about not being paid seems to suggest at least some apprehension about whether or not they will receive payment. Maybe the aggressive action is aimed at encouraging such a payment? Anyway, whatever the case may be, I suspect that at least one party won't be making as much money as they expected on backs of Weezer and the Black Eyed Peas.

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