Entertainment

Justin Bieber Management Cancels Fusion Festival U.K. Show Over ‘Unforeseen Issue’

Published on: August 5, 2015 at 2:21 AM
By Page Mackinley

Justin Bieber has apologized for cancelling his upcoming headlining concert at the Fusion Festival in Birmingham, U.K., citing an “unforeseen issue” as the reason. The singer was due to perform on Friday, August 28, which would have been his first live show in the U.K. for two years.

At the outset, it is noted that Justin Bieber’s management books and arranges the 21-year-old star’s schedule.

As a result, questions are being asked by Bieber’s British fans and industry insiders as to why an experienced team led by Scooter Braun, 33, which plans the commitments of a full roster of big artists including Ariana Grande , Rixton, and Martin Garrix, did not foresee the possible conflict of interest that Bieber’s Fusion festival withdrawal seems to signify.

Concert bookings and cancellations for most artists — and certainly a global superstar like Bieber — are handled by their management, who would work with whichever organization or event is involved. In this case, the three-day U.K. festival is to be hosted with London’s Capital FM radio station.

On Tuesday (August 4), the first of three messages appeared on the official Justin Bieber Twitter account, kicking off with a cover statement, which read, “UK beliebers I’m going to make this up to you soon.”

Those posts, which Bieber allegedly wrote, went on to state that he supported the Prince’s Trust — the Prince of Wales’ run charity which benefits from a portion of all festival tickets sales — and that he was “deeply disappointed” that he wasn’t “able to perform.”

The Canadian also said he “looks forward to the opportunity to give” his “U.K. beliebers a great show in the future” and “hoped” to honor his “commitment” to the Trust in the “near future.”

Bieber said that he expected harsh U.K. media coverage over his festival cancellation. He wrote, “And now the UK press will start to tear me apart.” The singer went on, “Comes with the job. Love u guys regardless and I will make this up to you.”

The heartthrob continued, “I do want to thank the prince’s trust for their understanding and I don’t take moving any show lightly. I will see u soon UK.”

For Fusion’s part, shortly after Bieber’s Twitter announcement, the festival’s official Twitter account retweeted the singer’s first post before sharing their own Facebook message. The organizers said they were “working hard to secure another exciting act for the festival” and promised to reveal details on how attendees could apply for refunds on their social media.

Naturally, ticket-holders left angry or disappointed comments at that page. One individual, among hundreds, wrote the following.

“What are the unforeseen circumstances? Surely his fans deserve a better explanation than a poxy tweet and promise to make it up to them???”

“What about the Bieber fans who have spent a fortune on travel and accommodation to get to this gig – they are going to be out of pocket and no Bieber… absolutely disgraceful.”

One Brit parent fumed, “So angry about this – I am a single parent and paid loads to treat my daughter who is a massive Justin Bieber fan. Paid for flights and hotel etc… We better get a refund!! This is absolutely shocking!”

Another lamented, “Genuinely never cried so much in my whole life.”

In contrast, one commenter replied to another, writing, “I am disappointed too. Emily. But no big artist in the history of music books their own shows. It was booked by Bieber’s mgt. That is where the blame lies.”

During Bieber’s last appearance in London in March 2013, the singer was late onstage for a London 02 arena show, which led to complaints. At another, he became short of breath and nearly collapsed on stage, but continued performing after taking a break.

However, as many Bieber fans pointed out on social media, none of those dramas apply in this current situation, and it was the singer’s management who liaised with Fusion Festival organizers and Capital FM months before he was due to headline, then pulled out 24 days in advance without offering a frank explanation.

Following furious tweets from many disappointed U.K. Beliebers, some Justin Bieber fans shared other perspectives. A selection follows below.

By early Wednesday, the festival website still hasn’t removed Bieber from its line-up page. Other performers include McBusted, Rudimental, and Tinie Tempah.

At press time, Braun and his team have yet to reveal their full reason for pulling the singer out of his scheduled Fusion festival set.

Justin Bieber
(Photo: Bieber will no longer be performing at the Fusion Festival in Birmingham due to an ‘unforeseen issue’)

[Images via Mike Lerner / Believe tour / Getty Images]

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