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Iconic country music act cancels LA show just hours before showtime: ‘Flew in from Oklahoma for this!’
The Chicks postponed their Los Angeles concert about 90 minutes before it was due to begin, citing illness. The last-minute change left fans angry and disrupted plans for people who had travelled to the show, with some saying they had already paid for flights, hotels and other costs.
The 2 November performance at the Dolby Theatre was rescheduled for 4 November, rather than cancelled. Fans who bought tickets through resale sites said they could not get automatic refunds because the event had been moved, and some only learnt of the change when they arrived at the venue. The rescheduled concert is due to be the final North American stop on the trio’s 20th Anniversary Taking the Long Way tour.
In short
- The Chicks postponed their Los Angeles show shortly before doors opened.
- The concert was moved by 48 hours, with illness cited.
- Travelling fans said the change left them facing unrecovered costs.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Postponing the concert because of illness can be a responsible decision: performing while unwell could worsen someone’s health, affect the show and risk spreading infection. Rescheduling for two days later also preserves the opportunity for fans to see the group, while giving the performers time to recover.
The case against
Announcing the change only 90 minutes before showtime imposed serious costs and disruption on fans who had travelled or made other plans. Some resale-ticket buyers say they received no automatic refund after the date changed, so clearer, earlier communication and practical support would have better recognised the burden on concertgoers.
Explained simply
The Chicks are an American country music trio made up of Natalie Maines and sisters Martie Maguire and Emily Strayer. They became widely known for combining country music with pop and folk influences, and their 2006 album Taking the Long Way won several Grammy Awards.
Concerts bring costs beyond the ticket, including travel and accommodation, which may be difficult to recover when plans change at short notice. Tickets bought through resale sites can also have different refund arrangements from those bought directly from a venue or ticket seller.
The performance is part of a tour marking 20 years since Taking the Long Way. The Chicks’ concerts draw fans from across the US, so a change to one date can affect people who have travelled as well as those attending locally.
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