Blocked sewer forces Bryan Adams to cancel concert
Water officials say “fat, grease and rags” were blocking sewage in the area of
the RAC Arena and were a “potential health risk” – but fans were already
beginning to queue at the venue and were unhappy with the timing of the
announcement.
Monday 10 February 2025 10:18, UK
A Bryan Adams concert has been cancelled in Australia due to the risk of sewage
backing up into the venue’s toilets.
The singer-songwriter’s performance at the RAC Arena in Perth on Sunday was
called off due to a “potential public health risk”.
The city’s water officials said a “large blockage of fat, grease and rags” was
causing several “wastewater overflows” at properties near the venue.
Fans will receive an automatic refund for their tickets, but reacted angrily to
the late cancellation, with many taking to social media to complain they were
already queuing at the 16,000-capacity venue.
Others asked if they would also be reimbursed for money spent on travel, food
and accommodation.
The Water Corporation apologised for the “inconvenience” and said in a
statement: “People should avoid contact with any pooled water in the area of
Wellington Street, Perth, as it may be sewage following a major blockage on a
sewer.
“Our crews are working to clear the large blockage of fat, grease and rags,
which has caused several wastewater overflows at properties along Wellington
Street.
“The Bryan Adams [https://news.sky.com/topic/bryan-adams-8677] concert at RAC
Arena was cancelled due to the risk of sewage backing up within the venue
toilets, posing a potential public health risk.”
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The concert promoter said the water issue “was unable to be fixed in time” and
called the cancellation “bitterly disappointing”.
Frontier Touring added: “The issue, which impacted all of Wellington Street,
meant that it was deemed unsafe for patrons to enter RAC Arena.”
In a further blow to fans, the promoter said it would be “unable” to reschedule
the concert.
Adams is touring Australia and New Zealand with his So Happy It Hurts Tour and
is being supported by James Arthur.
