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Boston rockers Aerosmith have been forced to cancel their scheduled appearances in Shanghai and Taipei at the last minute, citing “uncontrollable circumstances,” but the band say they hope to return one day.
A message posted on the SmartTicket website said of the Shanghai show: “The organizers of the show have not provided any information on why the show has been canceled or whether it will take place at another time.”
The band that gave us “Walk This Way” and “Dude Looks Like a Lady” said in the statement that the local promoter had been unable to meet contractual obligations.
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Given that ticket prices started at a fairly hefty $46 (280 yuan), running to $437 (2680 yuan), it’s possible the promoters had difficulty filling the Hongkou Soccer Stadium in Shanghai, which has a capacity of 33,000.
The gigs were scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 21 in Shanghai and Saturday, Aug. 24 in Taipei, in self-ruled Taiwan.
“We are extremely upset to have disappointed our dedicated fans,” front man Steven Tyler said in a statement for the band.
“They have welcomed us into their country, and due to uncontrollable circumstances we will not be able to perform. We were so excited to share our music with them and look forward to one day returning and giving them the show they deserve.”
Guitarist Joe Perry said the band had “looked forward to this for a lifetime.”
Drummer Joey Kramer said: “I sincerely hope Aerosmith will get another opportunity to come back to Shanghai and Taiwan to play for our many fans there.”
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Western bands have had mixed fortunes in China over the years.
Perhaps there was a certain amount of hubris in the decision to use the Hongkou stadium.
When The Rolling Stones came to the city in 2006, they played the 8,000-seater Shanghai Grand Stage. To appease the Chinese censors at the time, they had to cut a handful of their more sexually suggestive songs, including “Honky Tonk Woman” and “Let’s Spend the Night Together.”
Icelandic musician Bjork caused a stir when she sang “Tibet, Tibet” during a rendition of “Declare Independence” in Shanghai in March 2008, just a few months before the Olympics in Beijing and before deadly riots in Tibet.
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