By: Claire Crittendon – Features Editor
As the ever-growing list of corona’s consequences accumulates, there’s one factor flying under the radar: concert cancellation.
Radical Face plays one of the last concerts on March 7 at The Sinclair before its closure. Photo by Claire Crittendon.
While this pulls on the heartstrings of many, artists don’t have a choice when it comes to complying with CDC’s public health guidelines. However, just because it’s the right choice to cancel and postpone shows to flatten the curve, it doesn’t mean the loss of an outlet isn’t something to grieve.
The ever-relevant post-hardcore emo band My Chemical Romance (MCR) ended their seven-year hiatus this January, selling out enormous venues in record time. Fans who had gone almost a decade without hearing MCR live were dying to get back against the barricade, however, those who bought tickets for shows in Australia, New Zealand and Japan will have to wait even longer.
Live Nation Entertainment, the owner of five of Boston’s largest music venues, including the House of Blues and Paradise Rock Club, is facilitating COVID-19-related cancellations and postponements for its venues.
Ticket-owners of canceled shows “have 30 days to opt in to receiving a 150% credit to use towards buying future tickets,” according to the site on May 1.
Locally, Halsey was set to perform her new junior album, ‘Manic,’ at the Mansfield Xfinity Center early this July. “I’m sad because I was really looking forward to seeing her in concert, especially after her release of ‘Manic,’ said junior Amanda Sullivan, a once-ticket holder for her July 5 show. “I’m hoping they end up postponing it because I’d rather still see her than get my money back, even if it’s at a later date.”
Worcester’s infamous Palladium was geared up to host We Came As Romans (WCAR) on March 13, and junior Ruth Kehinde was stoked to see the set. Alas, WCAR postponed their show until July 25, offering refunds via email to all fans who could no longer attend.
“I feel kinda bummed out because I wanted to see a band I’ve been listening to since I was in high school,” said Kehinde. “But, I’m glad they canceled; it’s better to be safe than sorry.”
Through this chaos, change and sadness, one thing remains true: life as we know it has ceased to exist.
