Flicker
After Lauryn Hill was welcomed on stage with boos for arriving 2 and a half hours late to her Atlanta concert last week, fans will be able to get their tickets refunded.
The show’s promoter, Live Nation, is issuing full-price returns for the May 6 show at Chastain Park Amphitheater. The entertainment company’s director of marketing, Holly Clausen, spoke to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution about the issue. She said this is the first time they have ever had to refund fans in this way. She added that Live Nation never had an artist arrive so late to a scheduled gig, to her knowledge.
“We’re doing this because she only performed for 37 minutes,” she told the newspaper.
The marketing director also did not detail if Hill was compensated for the performance, saying that information is “not for public knowledge.”
Fans will be able to get ticket refunds at the point of purchase online through the sellers Ticketmaster and Live Nation, and Groupon. They can also get their money back from the Chastain Park box office, though they will have to make the trip in person at the next event, which happens May 20.
Hill faced lots of backlash for her tardy appearance at the short set. Even though fans believed she had no excuse for being late, rapper Talib Kweli came to the Grammy winner’s defense.
I would not recommend an artist consistently be late. But if they are, so be it. Art should be unpredictable https://t.co/NSkFo5Ykuc
— Talib Kweli Greene (@TalibKweli) May 7, 2016
Hill fired back in a lengthy response on her Facebook page. The former Fugee wrote that she does not “show up late to shows because I don’t care.” After mentioning how much she respects her fans she says her issue is “aligning my energy with the time, taking something that isn’t easily classified or contained and trying to make it available for others.” She continues, saying, “I scrutinize, have perfectionist tendencies, and want space made for spontaneity.”
Kweli supported Hill’s post and tweeted the following on May 10.
And she apologized to the fans. So what's your issue? You still call her a scumbag after that? What a dick. https://t.co/Yj7amuqqs1
— Talib Kweli Greene (@TalibKweli) May 11, 2016
If this is insincere to you, than you don't respect art at all IMO https://t.co/XmgJs3oJtm https://t.co/PAWph4Xr8A pic.twitter.com/zp8hI6uGIE
— Talib Kweli Greene (@TalibKweli) May 11, 2016
Earlier that night, he also took up for attacks on Hill’s professionalism.
1 would have to had put in work in the arts or been privy to the contract to suggest another artist is irresponsible https://t.co/j1OIKF9EhG
— Talib Kweli Greene (@TalibKweli) May 11, 2016
U as fan have no idea WHAT contract states or what was promised. Nor do u know if promoter held up their end or not. https://t.co/xElFmV8MR9
— Talib Kweli Greene (@TalibKweli) May 11, 2016
