Richmond, VA, is dealing with a double dose of disappointment as both MEGADETH and Peter Frampton have canceled their concerts at Virginia Credit Union Live! over the last few weeks.
On Sunday, September 15, MEGADETH took to social media to announce their show was off, citing “unexpected and unpredictable circumstances.” Just two days later, Frampton also canceled his performance scheduled for Tuesday night, apologizing for the inconvenience on Facebook and offering refunds at the point of purchase.
Things took a twist when Frampton addressed the cancellations during a concert at The Met in Philadelphia on September 19. He implied that MEGADETH’s soundcheck had caused structural damage on stage, telling the crowd, according to Blabbermouth.net, “So, we had a show canceled the other day because of weather. And also MEGADETH did a soundcheck, I think a couple of days before our show, and after they finished their soundcheck, there was structural damage to the stage. I’m not blaming them — could have been another band — but it looks pretty like it. So, sorry, MEGADETH. I had to rat on you.”
This afternoon, MEGADETH released a statement clarifying that they did not have the chance to soundcheck. Their rigger discovered damage to the venue’s grid while preparing to hang lights, which resulted in the cancellation for safety reasons.
Dave Mustaine commented, “It seems Frampton was misinformed about our show being canceled. The decision was purely based on safety. It’s disappointing when someone you admire talks out their ass about you.”
However, according to the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Virginia Credit Union Live! has confirmed that there is no damage to the venue’s grid.
“The scheduled MEGADETH concert was canceled due to a suspected production issue,” the venue stated. “After further inspection, we found no safety concerns or damage to the venue’s grid.”
FULL STATEMENT FROM MEGADETH
MEGADETH STATEMENT OFFERS CLARITY ON RECENT SHOW CANCELLATION
Based on Peter Frampton’s recent statement, MEGADETH feels it’s important to clear up some misinformation about the group’s recent show cancellation (Sunday, September 15at Virginia Credit Union Live! at Richmond Raceway in Richmond, Virginia). As recently reported, Frampton stated that MEGADETH’s soundcheck damaged the venue, forcing Frampton to also cancel his show there a few days later.
MEGADETH did not even get a chance to sound check at all in Richmond, Virginia contrary to what Peter Frampton reports. MEGADETH‘s rigger was in the venue’s steel grid system above the stage getting ready to hang the lights when he noticed there was damage to the venue’s grid. He pointed this out immediately to the promoters and the venue. It was determined that it was unsafe for MEGADETH to hang their production or put the band on stage at the risk of in-house grid failure to support the weight of the touring lighting and sound which could fall on the band, crew members, or audience, as it could cause serious injury or death. Therefore, MEGADETH, the local promoter, the venue, and booking agents had no other option than to cancel the show.
“It seems Frampton was misinformed about our show being cancelled,” says MEGADETH’s DAVE MUSTAINE.” “The decision was purely based on safety. It’s disappointing when someone you admire talks out their ass about you.”
