Garth Brooks’ Ireland Concerts Hit A Snag

Garth Brooks is set to make a big announcement on Monday, July 7, which everyone is expecting to include details on a major world tour and a new studio album. Unfortunately, his comeback has already hit a snag in Ireland where he was supposed to do five shows: the promoter was forced to cancel the last two shows earlier last week.

The cancellations come after the Dublin City Council refused to grant permission for the last two shows after receiving numerous complaints, 373 to be exact, from the locals.

Brooks, 52, was originally only supposed to play two concerts at Dublin’s Croke Park stadium, which seats 82,000, but three more shows were added due to increase in ticket demand, according to CMT. The five-show series, which sold over 400,000 tickets, would have been a record as no other artist has played five consecutive shows at the stadium which is also Ireland’s largest venue.

The ruling will prevent 160,000 people from seeing Brooks perform, according to Yahoo News UK. Also, since Brooks said he was either going to do all five concerts or none of them, the fate of the remaining concerts hangs in the balance as well. CMT says that Peter Aiken of Aiken Promotions revealed that when Brooks heard the news about permission being denied for the last two shows he was “devastated,” and doesn’t believe it’s fair that 160,000 people won’t be able to see the two concerts. The article also points out that 70,000 of the 400,000 tickets were bought by people who don’t live in Ireland.

Not everyone in Dublin is happy about the ruling, because Yahoo News UK reports that it would cost the city up to €15 million if all five are eventually cancelled.

The Licensed Vintners Association (LVA) said that the price tag is too steep, and despite concerns from the locals, the concerts would provide a certain to boost to the economy.

“This is still a very difficult economy for every business in the city and the Garth Brooks concerts promised a hugely significant financial boost for pubs and for the wider hospitality industry,” Donall O’Keeffe, the LVA’s chief executive, added.

The Yahoo News UK article states that while the decision can’t be appealed directly, there is a possibility that it can be challenged in court. A decision from the promoters on the future of the upcoming Garth Brooks concert series as a whole is expected to be announced early this week.

Garth Brooks retired from touring 13 years ago to raise his kids back him in Oklahoma, and his announced concert series in Dublin has fueled rumors of a future world tour.

[Image via armadillo444]