Aerosmith Cancels

However, one veteran heavy rock act didn’t enjoy the same success as Metallica.

Aerosmith, which was to make its China debut with a show in Shanghai on Aug. 21, canceled the show, as well as one in Taipei, that was meant to launch the band’s Global Warming world tour.

The band was remorseful in a statement. “We are extremely upset to have disappointed our dedicated fans,” wrote frontman Steven Tyler. “They have welcomed us into their country and due to uncontrollable circumstances we will not be able to perform. We were so excited to share our music with them and look forward to one day returning and giving them the show they deserve.”

The only reason given for the cancellations was a “failure” on the part of the promoter to “meet contractual obligations.”

No one has revealed what those obligations entailed, but China Music Radar made a July 31 post about international acts coming to China in 2013 that called into doubt the prospects for the Aerosmith shows, or at least the one in Shanghai that was to take place at the 23,000-capacity Hongkou Stadium, CMR points out that the group’s “fee scales to that 23,000 level,” which means Aerosmith could find itself playing to “a quarter-filled venue.”

The point seems to be that many Chinese promoters still don’t understand the economics of bringing a major Western act to their country, but they’re learning – the hard way.

In any case, some of the other big acts coming to China in coming months are Suede, Justin Bieber, The Killers, Akon, Alicia Keys and Hongkou Stadium.

Tickets range in price from $60 to $400, which could be steep for most people, even dedicated fans of these artists.