UPDATE 04/07/2014 11:55am
Current situation has everyone in the music industry having their say and poking their nose in. Lord Henry Mountcharles is quoted as saying that he doesn’t understand the lack of communication between Aiken and DCC and how it could happen. That is of course despite Aiken stating they were in contact daily with DCC and were given no indication there would be an issue.
The manager of the DCC has stated that despite Garth’s stance of 5 shows or no shows, the council would not be changing its decision. So the options remaining seem to be Aiken taking a challenge to the DCC to the courts or all five shows get cancelled. Ireland has allowed itself to become a laughing stock.
Keep an eye on July 7th, rumours of Garth Brooks announcing a full world tour are abound, and the 5 special one off shows for Ireland will long be forgotten in a haze of touring.
UPDATE 6:03pm
The latest in all the drama is that Peter Aiken has made a statement saying that “I can’t say for definite that the three shows are going to go ahead now. It’s all up in the air. I’m devastated“. According to Independent.ie, Garth himself is said to have said “I have faith that Dublin City Council will make the best decision for the people of Ireland. For us, it is five shows or none at all.”
This will come as devastating news for Garth Brooks fans around the country with 400,000 fans potential set to miss out on catching an artist they have waited 17 years to see. Right now it’s down to all parties involved to see what’s more important, 2 days more disruption of the Croke Park area with an agreement for all parties or the loss of millions to the Irish economy in ticket sales, VAT, hotels, flights, food, drink and more.
UPDATE 12:35pm
DCC issue press release on the issue. Monday and Tuesday are not given licenses because they are weeknights. Read full press release here. Garth Brooks Dublin City Council Press Release.
UPDATE 12:31pm
Rumours are flying on media outlets that due to DCC cancelling Monday and Tuesday, this breaks the contract Garth had for 5 shows meaning all shows will be cancelled. To us this seems like scaremongering given no artist would set out to upset 240,000 fans.
UPDATE 12:09pm
Lots of media are now reporting that the GAA have confirmed that Monday and Tuesday shows have been cancelled. Nothing official released anywhere yet.
This morning, the media online and on radio erupted after Councillor Ray McAdam said that the City manager had told him licensing had been only given for three shows.
Despite this Dublin City Council are denying a decision has been made with the meeting expected to be this afternoon.
Other stories appearing online include the Aviva being mooted as a potential host of the final two shows. Apart from the fact it would take three nights in the Aviva to host all displaced ticket holders, the stage setup being tore down and put back up in time makes it extremely unlikely that the Aviva would be a viable option without a day or two in between the first three.
Here at GP we’re waiting for the official announcement. We’ll update you when it appears.