Fans Critical Of Reggae Fest Cancellation

AZ Reggae Fest’s advertised bill included Snoop Lion, Collie Buddz, Leon and the Peoples, and Marcia Griffiths.

Fans who attended the festival Sept. 5 told the Arizona Republic they were informed Collie Buddz had missed his flight, but the artist offered a different explanation via Twitter.

“The promoter cancelled,” he tweeted the following morning. “We was there ready. Get ya money back,” and “I’m sorry about that. I’m pissed believe me!! Flew there yesterday morning with the team. We were ready.” Snoop Lion’s name and image were removed from the festival’s website the same day, the Republic noted, and attempts to contact the promoter via the site returned a message that stated “failed to send your message. Please try later or contact the administrator by another method.” In a statement on Facebook Sept. 6, the festival apologized for the late cancelation.

“Due to unforeseen restraints and circumstances we were unable to continue the event,” the statement said. “Please understand that all intentions were to provide a great event for the community; never to mislead or misrepresent in any way. All pre-sell tickets purchased for today’s event will be refunded to the card they were purchased on. “Again we apologize for the delay of communication and any inconvenience this may have caused. Please direct any questions or concerns to [email protected]. As you can imagine we are being flooded with calls and emails so it may take a little longer for a response but please know that we are doing everything we can to respond to you as quickly as possible.”

Some fans weren’t buying it, posting on the page that the festival “was a scam” and that their refund requests were bouncing back.

“I have not received a response to my emails to the address provided for refunds and have filed complaints with the BBB and azag.gov consumer protection,” a fan wrote.