Bryan Adams fans left disappointed after a massive fatberg blocked RAC Arena’s sewer system, forcing the cancellation of the Bryan Adams Perth concert on Sunday night. Organisers confirmed that the sold-out show would not be rescheduled, and ticket holders will receive full refunds.
Figure 1: Crowds outside the concert venue [Source: Unknown]
Fatberg Causes RAC Arena Shutdown
A large sewer blockage along Wellington Street created a health risk at RAC Arena, leading to last-minute cancellations. The Water Corporation described the issue as a “fatberg” made of grease, fat, and rags, which caused wastewater overflows near the venue.
Water Corporation chief executive Pat Donovan said crews tried to clear the blockage but could not do so in time.
“I assure you our people worked really hard to clear a large blockage, which is called a fatberg in one of our key water mains under Wellington Street,” he said.
He also mentioned that they were considering backup contingencies, including tankering the wastewater away, but realised they wouldn’t be able to manage it for 16,000 people in the venue.
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Frustrated Fans Kept Waiting for Hours
Concertgoers queued for hours outside RAC Arena without clear communication about the situation. Many waited from 5:30 pm, unaware that the concert was in jeopardy.
Fans received the first text message at 7:15 pm, saying, “Doors are currently delayed for this evening’s concert. More updates to come.”
At 7:35 pm, a second message said, “Due to an external Water Corporation issue, doors continue to remain closed for the time being. All efforts are being made to resolve this issue. We will continue to keep you informed.”
The final update came at 9:00 pm, confirming that the Bryan Adams Perth concert would not proceed.
Belinda, a disappointed fan, said she waited outside for three hours with no proper communication.
“They had a loudspeaker going but because there were so many people it wasn’t loud enough for everyone to hear what was actually happening,” she told ABC Radio Perth.
She added that while they waited outside for a long time, they had no access to drinks or the venue.
Full Refunds Announced
Concert organisers Frontier Touring confirmed on Monday morning that all ticket holders would receive automatic refunds.
“Tickets will be automatically refunded in full (including refundable ticket purchase, if relevant) to the original payment method used for purchase and patrons do not need to take any action,” the company stated.
“Patrons should allow approximately 30 business days for the refund to appear in their account. (Please do not contact Ticketek regarding your refund.)”
The statement also acknowledged the disappointment of fans.
“The cancellation of the show is bitterly disappointing, and we thank fans for their understanding that while every effort was made for the show to proceed, this matter was outside of the control of Bryan Adams, Frontier Touring, and RAC Arena.”
Hollywood Hospital Also Affected
A separate but similar fatberg issue impacted Hollywood Private Hospital, with wastewater flooding some areas. A hospital spokesperson confirmed that inpatient care was not affected.
The spokesperson stated that a sewer main blockage off-site in Nedlands led to effluent flooding into certain non-inpatient areas, including the ground floor of the Hollywood Specialist Centre..
Cleaning and remediation efforts began immediately, but the hospital expects it will take several days to fix the damage.
Fans Express Frustration on Social Media
Many concertgoers took to social media to vent their frustration about the Bryan Adams Perth concert cancellation.
One fan commented, “Yeah thanks for telling us 3 HOURS after the event and 3 hrs after we stood in a queue! Pathetic.”
Another added, “Terrible service!! An international popstar like Bryan Adams comes to Perth and this is what happens.”
Some even joked about the situation, with one fan writing, “Bryan Adams: Please forgive me, it’s the summer of sh*ts & urine.”
A Perfect Storm of Issues
Donovan admitted the situation was a “perfect storm” of unfortunate events.
He said that a combination of unfortunate factors came together at the worst possible location and time, just as the concert was about to take place.
Despite the disappointment, authorities insisted that cancelling the Bryan Adams Perth concert was the only safe option.
