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Why did Lionel Richie cancel the Madison Square Garden concert? Fans fume as singer announces change in schedule an hour after show's start time

'So disappointed but not as disappointed as the tourists and fans who made plans around the gig and will now miss it,' a follower remarked

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Lionel Richie and 'Earth, Wind & Fire' have cited inclement weather as the reason for canceling their Madison Square Garden concert an hour after it was supposed to commence.

According to Billboard, the 74-year-old singer and songwriter posted the announcement on his social media an hour after the concert was slated to start on Saturday, August 12, as reported by Deadline.

Why did Lionel Richie cancel the Madison Square Garden concert? 

Richie claimed he could not fly to New York because of the unfavorable weather, preventing him from reaching the concert venue. 

The show was apparently already running behind its schedule than its anticipated 7.30 pm ET start when the news of its postponement reached the attendees, as per Deadline. Around 20,000 concertgoers were left frustrated and angered at the 'American Idol' judge.

Richie took to X (formerly Twitter) at 8.30 pm, posting, "Due to severe weather and being unable to land in the NY and surrounding areas, I’m unable to make it to the show tonight. I’m so bummed."

"We are rescheduling the show to Monday Aug 14. Can’t wait to perform for you all. Tickets for tonight’s show are valid for the show on Monday,” added the 'Lady' singer. 

How did Lionel Richie's fans react to the cancelation of the Madison Square Garden concert?

Fans were naturally enraged at the late announcement of the concert's cancellation, with several of them leaving replies to Richie's post. A disgruntled follower wrote, "Sounds like bad planning on your part @LionelRichie, trying to fly in at the last minute. I’ll take a refund please - no thx to Monday!" calling out the singer. 

"Yes. After so many years of touring, this makes no sense!" stated one, with another adding, "Press team lies. What actually happened? Nobody flies in late and blames weather. Weather was A OK. We are a group of 12 and so disappointed but not as disappointed as the tourists and fans who made plans around the gig and wil now miss it. What’s the real, substantial and genuine reason?"

A fan sarcastically remarked, "Thank you so much for announcing this an hour after the show was supposed to start," while another quipped, "When the 'weather excuse' feels cloudier than the actual sky... Why no heads-up before we crammed the auditorium? C'mon press team, all of us and countless fans are waiting for the real story."

"I’m pretty sure you’ve been on tour before. When inclement weather is expected, you travel out in front of it. Inexcusable and @TheGarden you fleeced everyone out of thousands of $ for concessions knowing the concert wasn’t happening. Not a chance you found out when we did," pointed out one.