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Artist News Gigs & Festivals Live Business
AEG makes British Summer Time free as ill Elton cancels
By Aly Barchi | Published on Wednesday 10 July 2013
Elton John has cancelled all his approaching live dates, not least an imminent headline billing at AEG’s Hyde Park-based British Summer Time this Friday, because he has appendicitis.
His doctors anticipate operating on the inflamed appendix within the month (which seems like a long time to leave an inflamed appendix, but apparently antibiotics are helping at the moment), whilst his press team say the star is “eager” to be back in time to play live again in early September. John has a show booked at Leeds Arena on 4 Sep, and latter German dates and appearances at this year’s Bestival (8 Sep) and iTunes Festival (12 Sep), which are currently all still intact, his official site confirms.
This consolatory note via the site: “Elton is incredibly disappointed to postpone these tour dates. To know that he made such super-human efforts and continued to perform to thousands through his illness only confirms his dedication to his European fans”.
British Summer Time promoter AEG Live and The Royal Parks, meanwhile, have made the Friday edition of their festival free-entry, now it’s lost its headline star. Fans with 12 Jul tickets will be given their cash back automatically, but can still gain access to the site (on 12 Jul) by printing and bringing their existing tickets. Extra free tickets are also available on a first come, first served basis via this link, with Ray Davies, Elvis Costello, Gabrielle Aplin and Nick Lowe all set to play on the day in Elton’s stead.
Rob Hallett, President of International Live Touring at AEG Live, says: “We certainly wish Elton a speedy recovery and know that he would have hated for us to cancel the whole day’s events because of this. In the beautiful surroundings of Hyde Park and the incredible weather we are having, our show goes on! And there’s no better way to enjoy the start of our final weekend with a free event for all to enjoy with some excellent headline artists topping off even more great entertainment in our ten-day event”.
