Concert delay affects Hong Kong’s reputation as a mega-event host

The show organiser has prudently opted for safety and postponed the concerts, yet enabled the show to go on in some form. But the hiccup has raised questions about preparedness, especially when staging concerts at the 50,000-seat stadium remains a relatively new experience for local entertainment and production agencies.

This is not the first time performances scheduled at Kai Tak have had issues. Taiwanese band Mayday axed the opening night of a concert series in March and replaced it with an extra show later in the week, sparking complaints from local and mainland fans. They were offered the option of attending a special 40-minute rehearsal session on the original date free of charge on top of the refund.

Isolated technical incidents are indeed not uncommon in live entertainment. But disruptions of high-profile shows at the city’s newest performance venue raise questions about coordination and competence, and do nothing for the city’s aspiration to reassert itself as a premier hub for mega-events amid intensifying regional and global competition.

There is no evidence to suggest Kai Tak Stadium has structural issues that cause difficulties for show organisers. Since the venue’s opening in March last year, the feedback from performers and audiences has largely been positive. But the bigger and better venue also comes with new logistical challenges for many players who may be unfamiliar with larger-scale performances. The setback is a reminder that the loss is not just to the showbiz industry and fans but also the image of Hong Kong as a mega-event capital.