Wembley 'Supergig' for Japan Cancelled (Musicians Turn Backs on Japanese Fans)

The Guardian ^ | Monday, April 4, 2011 | Sean Michaels

[kristinn]

Organisers have called off plans for a massive "supergig", which was to benefit the relief effort in Japan. Live Nation was reportedly "unable to secure artists" for the Wembley Arena concert in London, which was to be broadcast worldwide.

Promoters had been working with major labels Sony and Universal to organise a gigantic fundraiser on 14 April, with plans to involve world-class artists. It was to be "a huge global spectacle" and "the biggest concert in years", according to sources.

[kristinn]

Western musicians have made a lot of money off their Japanese fans over the past decades. The least they could do is play a few songs and let them know they're appreciated as human beings and not just human ATMs.

[wastedyears]

I know Iron Maiden would do that. Deep Purple, UFO...

Maybe they should go for hard rock/metal bands.

[robowombat]

The Japanese are not touchy feeley enough. They aren't bathetic dim witted third world types waiting around for a liberal Bwana like Matt Damon to rush in and distribute some goodies in return for that most important commodity for lib entertainment types, lots of fawning attention complete with chickified presstitutes reporting breathlessly on what great human beings these entertainment whores are.

[the invisib1e hand]

I'd look at the promoter before I'd blame the musicians. Nothing a musician likes more than an enthusiastic audience and they say that Japanese rock fans are tops at that. Good press and a worldwide promotional opportunity? No act would pass that up.

I dont think anyone trusts livenation. Plus the stadium acts are probably booked up already. New acts? I dunno who has the audience that the stadium acts do/did.

[muleskinner]

a liberal Bwana like Matt Damon

Oh Man! LOL!

[Doe Eyes]

Nothing a musician likes more than an enthusiastic audience and they say that Japanese rock fans are tops at that.

How many Japanese fans would be willing to travel to London for a concert?

[max americana]

Sorry...rich nations like Japan dont count. It has to be some 3rd world, black-majority, commie nation to justify the egos of these talentless hacks.

[Ready4Freddy]

They were afraid of what would happen if Bono got the Wembley crowd clapping again.

[the invisib1e hand]

That’s not exactly what I meant.