You won't see them here soon
Singapore promoters lost $6 million when the recent Sars outbreak led to concerts being cancelled or postponed. And they are not likely to recoup some of that money this year because the international acts are unlikely to return any time soon. The $6 million figure is the estimate of Dr Robert Liew, president of the Association of Concerts and Events Managers Singapore and a promoter.
Shows from the likes of Mariah Carey, Santana, Moby, David Gray and Blue were affected by the Sars outbreak from March to May. Sars has been tamed, but it is difficult for international performers to quickly reschedule their plans to fit in a postponed gig, says Midas Promotions. "Most concerts take three to six months to plan," says director Michael Hoskings.
"These artists usually plan their schedules one year in advance. They cannot suddenly come back," he adds, noting that Midas is still uncertain if Carey and Blue will return to Singapore. Lushington Entertainment, whose plans to stage concerts by Santana, Moby and Gray were derailed, says these artists will not be back this year.
Its director, Mr Michael Roche, says their shows were "not rescheduled but cancelled". He says the company is being cautious for now, because any further or sudden cancellations can severely damage its credibility. None of the promoters Life! spoke to was willing to say if they are covered by insurance to help offset the costs of the no-shows.
But the show will go on, for some artists, in Singapore. Hong Kong singers Alan Tam and Hacken Lee, who were scheduled to arrive next month, will now be appearing at a doublebill concert at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on Nov 27, says promoter Abba Film And Entertainment. It adds that Cantopop king Andy Lau will come next year instead of December as scheduled.
Arts Management Associates has also secured French mime Marcel Marceau for a rescheduled performance in October after his April date was cancelled. Its director, Dr Liew, says: "To get a free date requires an extraordinary amount of work, but we managed to get a promoter in another country to give one date up for us."
Over at LAMC Productions, director Laurrietta Alaabons says talks are underway to reschedule Dionne Warwick's and Joe Satriani's shows till some time next year. (The Straits Times)
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