GHOST Explains Last-Minute South Carolina Concert Cancelation, Apologizes To Frustrated Fans

GHOST has released a lengthy statement explaining the last-minute cancelation of the band's concert Tuesday night (August 29) at the CCNB Amphitheatre at Heritage Park in Simpsonville, South Carolina.

The show was called off shortly after it was announced that GHOST had canceled its two concerts in Florida this week as Hurricane Idalia barreled toward the state's Gulf Coast.

Earlier today (Wednesday, August 30),GHOST released the following statement via social media: "Children of South Carolina (and beyond)!

"First off all we wish to apologize for taking this long to respond to yesterday's prolonged cancellation, but we had to maneuver through a lot of bureaucratic hoops. We are as upset as you are about last night's events. In an effort to clear the air of confusion, here's what really happened yesterday:

"When our trucks and buses arrived yesterday morning, there was already a concern about the weather forecast as the stage has a very small roof and nothing covering the sides. Our main goal is for our fans to have a great experience. We were assured the weather would be fine later in the day, so we pressed ahead with all the show setup/preparations.

"Unlike CCNB, most outdoor concert venues have a large roof over the stage to safeguard all the sound and lighting equipment from inclement weather, as well as a roof over the audience to protect our fans. Yesterday we were all subject to no cover and the bad weather.

"It started raining heavily during the morning set up, and some pieces of our equipment had already started to malfunction. Luckily, we do have a very professional crew, that somewhat repaired or swapped spare parts etc, to make the show happen. We were ready to perform, completely dependent that the weather stay sunny, and the rain would pass us by!

"When [support act] AMON AMARTH hit the stage, a sudden torrential rain began (as well as thunder),and the entire stage was completely flood-ed. AMON AMARTH could only get thru a few songs of their show. Our crew covered as many pieces of equipment they could with tarp, especially the electronics and computers, and moved other electronics back into the trucks to protect them from the rain.

"As the rain subsided, it was clear that many of the key components of our show presentation were totally inoperable, mainly the sound and lighting control consoles, definitely a show stopping problem. All in all, it was impossible for us to perform and we told the venue this.

"We insisted the venue/promoter explain IMMEDIATELY to all our fans that were patiently waiting to be let back into the venue but we were met with legalese.

"Our crew continued trying to get the system working again but after a few hours it was clear nothing would work. Today we learned it would take 2-3 days at a minimum for us to replace the electronic equipment to perform any show. Sadly, without replacement equipment we are unable to perform in Simpsonville tomorrow, Thursday. Refunds will be issued automatically at point of purchase, there is nothing further ticketholders need to do.

"We are heartbroken thinking about what all you fans were put through because of this. We are sincerely sorry for the inconvenience, disappointment and irritation this has caused you all. We never intended to jerk you around and have you standing out in the rain without a clear understanding of what was going on.

"We apologize and hope that we have clarified yesterday's chain of events."

According to the Greenville, South Carolina television station WYFF, a number of GHOST fans complained about the lack of communication over the concert's cancelation, with one concertgoer telling the station: "Eight o'clock, we were told it had been canceled. And then at 8:45, they finally posted on social media, and they were saying that the event was on hold, that it would likely open back up, they're keeping an eye on it. 9:45 they say they're setting back up." At "11:45, they post on social media that they're sorry, but the show's been canceled. At 11:45, like we'd been waiting literally in line all day. The communication was terrible," he said.

Justin Campbell, the spokesperson for city of Simpsonville, which owns the CCNB Amphitheatre, told WYFF artists are responsible to keeping their own equipment protected and dry.

"We can't make the band or the tour go onstage," Campbell said. "They reported that there was some damaged equipment for lighting or sound. And because of that, they chose not to continue the concert."

Campbell added that the venue was limited in terms of how much information it could give out because of its agreement with Live Nation.

"But our people, TRZ management, were being told when they could make updates. And if they give out updates when they're not supposed to, that's a liability," Campbell said.