Promoters feel sting in change of concert venue

October 25, 2012 | 4:16 am

Sting

Tickets to British singer-songwriter Sting’s concert on Dec. 9 were “almost sold out” when the pop star changed the venue from the Mall of Asia Arena (MOAA) to Smart Araneta Coliseum, according to an officer of MOA Arena.

“Not fully sold out, but close” Arnel Gonzales, MOAA general manager, told the Inquirer by phone on Wednesday, adding that their main concern now was “to manage the expectations of the patrons who have already bought tickets.”

Sting demanded a change of venue to express his sympathy for environmentalists protesting the “balling” of pine trees in Baguio City by SM, which also owns MOAA.

SM, however, said Sting was misinformed.

Sting’s official website, sting.com, posted this announcement on Oct. 19: “Fans who have previously purchased a reserved seat ticket will receive a reserved ticket for the new venue. Reserved seat tickets have been carefully reassigned so that fans who have a reserved ticket at the MOAA will receive a comparable reserved ticket in the new venue.

“Beginning Thursday, October 25th, there will be a special window at the Ticketnet Office located at the Smart Araneta Coliseum that will handle all ticket exchanges. Fans may exchange their tickets on the show date, but we recommend that this be done in advance, to avoid lengthy queues.”

“If a refund is required due to the change in venue, these tickets must be refunded at SM Tickets no later than Sunday, Nov. 18, 2012.”

However, Gonzales said his office was still discussing with concert promoter Ovation Productions the details of a system that would ensure hassle-free exchange of previously purchased tickets sold for new ones.

Renen de Guia, head of Ovation, said he would make an official announcement in the next few days regarding this.

Gonzales assured all ticket holders that they would be assigned proper corresponding seats in the new venue.

“We have some adjustments to make,” he admitted, “since the Arena has more premium seats in the lower box section and fewer seats in the general admission section.”

For a clearer picture, Gonzales noted: The Arena has a seating capacity of more than 10,000 for concerts; the Smart Araneta Coliseum can accommodate more than 9,000 but can make room for more, should ticket sales require it.

To clarify transfer matters, the public is advised wait for further announcements or call SM Tickets (tel.470-2222) or Ticketnet (911-5555).

Recent Stories:

Complete stories on our Digital Edition newsstand for tablets, netbooks and mobile phones; 14-issue free trial. About to step out? Get breaking alerts on your mobile.phone. Text ON INQ BREAKING to 4467, for Globe, Smart and Sun subscribers in the Philippines.

Tags: Entertainment , Environment , MOA Arena , Music , sting

Junjunator

I wonder what Sting would do if he knew of the previous animal shows and cockfighting at the new venue? Just wondering

andresa igbac

previous nga eh. nag stop na yong cockfighting, etcetera…meanwhile, yong SM ongoing problem pa ung trees, sucking of too much energy of their gazillion malls, their malls killing small businesses in the communities, hiring of contractual employees, o, gusto mo pa ba ng mas mahabang listahan ng mga problemang dulot ng SM?

Junjunator

First, I was just wondering whether there would be a similar response from Sting knowing. the events staged there before. Would his advocacies include animal rights or just the “environment”, not those who share it with him?

Now, to answer you point by point,

1. Cockfighting has not stopped there, check the venue sked
2. Yes, SM still has problem with the trees at in Baguio, no denying that but it’s not the point in my post above.
3. They don’t have gazillion malls, they have less than 50, surf the net, surely you’ll find it.
4. Indeed, they take up energy, like you and me. Such are the price of our modern way of living
5. Businesses will come and go, those who fail to evolve will die. Maybe you can research also how many millionaires have been created in doing business with SM
6. SM benefits from from such labor practices but I suggest you approach your local congressman to have that law repealed. Also, most companies practice this.
7. Feel free please to list other problems. The sting concert was my topic above but a discussion of other things is fine with me

And oh, please englishin mo, saying lang effort mo

turin55555

Sting. Insekto lang ang madalas gumagawa nyan. Tutal madami nyan sa lumang venue na lilipatan nya. Bagay nga.
kunsabagay

Sting anobayan, porke’t naging issue lang ng isang branch ng SM ang “tree balling” ay bigla ka naman nag demand ng change venue. Alam mo ba na ung eroplanong sasakyan mo papunta ng Pinas ay nagko cause din ng pollution? Just putting things in perspective guys…

andresa igbac

englisin mo. sayang lang effort mo

Guia Limpin

Pity ARNEL GONZALES. He never thought that STING will change venue for the sake of the trees in Baguio.
PITIFUL ARNEL GONZALES now comes outs with articles like this every day, digging the hole he is in now even deeper,
PITY ARNEL GONZALES. Sting will not mind whether 9,000 or 10,000 tickets are now sold. STING IS STING! And Sting stands for every song he sings…PITY ARNEL GONZALES, YOU LOST STING AND still measure events with PLAIN GREED.
http://profile.yahoo.com/PORBEMTNEP3T7OUGS3CJNA4XFM Manuel

Fully grown palm trees were earth-balled daytime in a farm, and replanted elsewhere.Truckloads of soil from nearby towns were delivered to fill out deep wide holes left by the massive roots to prevent erosion and holes being converted to water pools. An independent body should make public the height and diameter each of the 182 trees to be earth-balled and the volume of soil needed to fill out the holes and source.

Promoters feel sting in change of concert venue

News

Sports

Lifestyle

Entertainment

Business

Technology

Opinion

Global Nation