Bryan Adams’ highly anticipated concert in Perth, Australia, was abruptly canceled due to a major sewage issue that posed a significant public health risk.
The Canadian singer-songwriter was set to perform at the RAC Arena on Sunday as part of his So Happy It Hurts Tour, but the event was called off at the last minute after officials warned that the venue’s toilets could be affected by wastewater backing up. Fans who had eagerly gathered at the 16,000-capacity arena were left disappointed and frustrated by the late announcement.
The cause of the issue stemmed from a severe blockage in the city’s sewage system, which water authorities described as a buildup of fat, grease, and rags. This blockage led to wastewater overflows at multiple properties along Wellington Street, near the concert venue.
Officials from the Water Corporation, the agency responsible for the city’s water management, advised people to steer clear of any pooled water in the area, warning that it could contain raw sewage.
“The Bryan Adams concert at RAC Arena was cancelled due to the risk of sewage backing up within the venue toilets, posing a potential public health risk,” the Water Corporation said in an official statement.
“Our crews are working to clear the large blockage of fat, grease, and rags, which has caused several wastewater overflows at properties along Wellington Street.” Despite efforts to resolve the issue quickly, it became evident that the problem could not be fixed in time to allow the concert to proceed safely.
The abrupt cancellation sparked outrage among fans, many of whom had already arrived at the venue or traveled long distances to see Adams perform. Social media was flooded with complaints from ticket holders, some of whom expressed anger over the lack of prior notice.
“We were already queuing when they told us it was canceled! Unacceptable!” one fan wrote. Others questioned whether they would be reimbursed not just for their tickets, but also for travel expenses, hotel bookings, and meals.
Concert promoter Frontier Touring expressed disappointment over the situation, calling the decision to cancel the show “bitterly disappointing.” In a statement, the company explained that the extensive water issue affected the entire Wellington Street area, making it unsafe for patrons to enter the venue.
“The issue, which impacted all of Wellington Street, meant that it was deemed unsafe for patrons to enter RAC Arena,” the promoter stated, emphasizing that public health and safety had to take priority.
To add to fans’ frustration, the promoters confirmed that there were no plans to reschedule the Perth concert. Despite the unexpected setback, Bryan Adams and his team are continuing with the rest of the So Happy It Hurts Tour, which includes stops across Australia and New Zealand. British singer-songwriter James Arthur, who is serving as Adams’ supporting act, has also been affected by the cancellation but will proceed with the remaining tour dates.
While ticket holders will receive automatic refunds for the canceled show, the situation has reignited discussions about infrastructure issues in major event venues. Some fans questioned how such a critical sewage problem could develop in a location designed to host large crowds.
Others voiced concerns over whether more could have been done to detect and address the problem earlier, potentially preventing the last-minute cancellation.
As Adams continues his tour, his Perth fans are left disappointed, with many expressing hope that he will return to the city in the future. However, with no rescheduled date in sight, those who had traveled long distances for the concert are left with little consolation. For now, the focus remains on resolving the sewage issue and preventing similar disruptions from affecting other major events in Perth.
