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Pink Friday off as Nicki Minaj cancels Dublin gig

Updated / Friday, 15 Mar 2019 23:50
Nicki Minaj; it won't be a pink Friday for her Irish fans
Nicki Minaj; it won't be a pink Friday for her Irish fans

MCD concert promoters have said that efforts to reschedule Nicki Minaj's Dublin concert, which was cancelled on Friday night, have failed and that ticket refunds would be available from point of purchase this Tuesday.  

The US rapper was forced to cancel her show in Dublin's 3Arena due to "severe weather conditions" on the Irish Sea just two hours before she was due to take to the stage.

Thousands of Irish fans, including many who had taken time off work and traveled from all over the country, have been left angry and disappointed at the news. 

The scene inside the 3Arena on Friday night

An updated statement from MCD reads, "Nicki Minaj's concert, which was due to take place at the 3Arena in Dublin today (Friday 15 March 2019), has been cancelled with full refunds available from this Tuesday from point of purchase. 

"Unfortunately the artist, venue and promoters have been unable to reschedule the concert despite great efforts by all parties. The adverse weather conditions which affected Irish Sea sailings over the last 24hrs resulted in only half the trucks carrying their equipment arriving ahead of the concert. 

"Nicki Minaj apologises for any inconvenience caused to fans due to these unforeseen circumstances." 

Irish fans outside the 3Arena on Friday evening expressed their anger and disappointment at the cancellation by chanting "Cardi B! Cardi B", a reference to Minaj's long-running feud with fellow singer Cardi B.

It is understood that some of Minaj's staging equipment had not arrived at the venue by 5.00pm on Friday evening. The news of the cancellation broke just two hours before the was due to take the stage at 8.00pm.

This is the third last minute gig cancellation by Minaj in recent weeks. Earlier in March she was scheduled to perform in Bordeaux, France. However, after fans had already filed into the Arkea Arena, they were informed that the show had been cancelled.

This is the third last minute gig cancellation by Minaj in recent weeks

The reason given for the cancellation was a lack of electricity, according to the 36-year-old performer, who told her Instagram followers, "You guys, it’s not in my best interest not perform and lose money and aggravate my fans." 

She added, "I love performing for my fans. I’m more excited than you are before the show. These two cities that had technical issues were cities that I had never been before and we tried to add them but they just didn’t have the power in the building to facilitate my show. And they didn’t tell us that until three hours before the show… We did sound check, they said it was fine."

Nicki Minaj

"But anyway, every artist has technical difficulties and has to cancel shows," she added. "I wanna tell you guys that I love you dearly and I really hope to make it up very soon."

Gig goers at the Bordeaux show were unimpressed and also chanted, "Cardi B! Cardi B!".

Minaj and Cardi B have been involved in a long-running feud 

Minaj also cancelled her February 22 show in Bratislava, Slovakia, due also to lack of "electrical capabilities" to be able to stage her act in full.

Irish fans have been voicing their anger and disappointment at the news of the 3Arena cancellation.

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