Reading and Leeds Festival 2022

DDFUNK

Hi,

I was just wondering if anyone else has been effected by the cancellation of Rage Against the Machine as headliner at Reading and Leeds 2022.

So far, the festival organisers have not commented at all on refunds.

They have replaced RATM, legendary anti-establishment metal band, with the 1975, mediocre middle of the road, woke-pop. 

Anyone could tell you that this is not a like-for-like swap. It's not the same gendre and not anywhere near the same status. Whilst music is subjective, this could also be measure objectively by looking at sales and streaming records, previous concert ticket prices and sales. 

Reading and Leeds T&C's state that a change of band will not result in a refund, but a material change to the event does. However, the interpretation of the T&C's remains with them.

Furthermore, anyone whos bought coach tickets through official providers is also not entitled to a refund.

This is clearly abuse of consumers rights from unfair barganin positions.

The second had sales market is now flooded with tickets being sold at a loss, by people with no confidence in Reading and Leeds to be treated fairly. Should a full refund materialise, people selling tickets cheaply second had will not be entitled to a full refund, and will therefore effectively be cutting the festival organisers losses.

I wonder if Moneysaving expert, the legendary rockstars of consumer rights could help draw attention to the tens of thousands of rock fans who are being ripped off.

The_Unready

What have RATM said about the fact they're no longer playing?

If they unilaterally pulled out, I'd suggest your outrage is better directed to them, rather than the venues.

Aylesbury_Duck

What on earth is "woke-pop"?

Manxman_in_exile

Aylesbury_Duck said:

What on earth is "woke-pop"?

I want to know too!  I can confirm that there was no such thing as "woke" in 1975!

I was wondering if it might literally be the band Middle of the Road famed for such classics as "Chirpy chirpy cheep cheep" and "Tweedledum Tweedledee" in which case I'd like a ticket.

(No.  Obviously that was a joke... )

PS  -  I have heard Coldplay scathingly described (rightly in my opinion) as having played music that could possibly be described as MOR woke-pop...

The_Unready

'The 1975' is the name of the band!

user1977

I doubt you can get much more "woke" than RATM, so maybe it's the "pop" which the OP has a problem with?

Anyway, no, I wouldn't expect a right to a refund for as big a festival as this, even if it's the headliner who has pulled out. It's not a "RATM + support" gig.

DDFUNK

Aylesbury_Duck said:

What on earth is "woke-pop"?

I knew that would get people going.

Just middle of the road crap.

Aylesbury_Duck

This whole labelling things or people "woke" business is quite pathetic.  It seems to be a label chucked about by people who resent being told they shouldn't be bigoted.  It's practically an admission of being uneducated and wanting to stay that way.  Bizarre.

Anyway, back to consumer rights: No, I can't see that you have any right to a refund for an entire festival ticket because one act has withdrawn, but I haven't read the terms and conditions you agreed to at purchase to know if that's correct.

DDFUNK

The_Unready said:

What have RATM said about the fact they're no longer playing?

If they unilaterally pulled out, I'd suggest your outrage is better directed to them, rather than the venues.

Due to "ill health". However, it's most likely to be an excuse to get out of their contractual duties. Their entire European tour has been cancelled.

It could be taken on face value that they can't actually make it. Or, it could be they are stretching the truth as the tour, originally booked for 2020, is no longer possible. Worst case, is that it's a fraudulent claim. I'll have to watcy what I say next. However, in the past there have been suspicions that the music industry isn't the last bastion of for truth and honesty

p00hsticks

Discussed here:

https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/reading-and-leeds-festival-2022-fans-demand-refunds-the-1975-replace-rage-against-the-machine-b1018344.html#r3z-addoor

In it says that Ticket master have confirmed that the change of one headline act does not make ticket holders eligible for a refund

p00hsticks

The_Unready said:

What have RATM said about the fact they're no longer playing?

If they unilaterally pulled out, I'd suggest your outrage is better directed to them, rather than the venues.

THey've cancelled all their UK dates because their lead singer has suffered an injury (a friend saw them in New York last week and apparently he sang the whole set sitting down at the fornt of the stage)