Justin Bieber, Late Concert: Singer Apologizes to Fans & Parents for Delayed Show

Posted on Mar 5th 2013 9:38AM by The Associated Press

justin bieber late concert drama Theo Wargo, Getty

LONDON (AP) - Justin Bieber apologized Tuesday to his young fans - and their outraged, overtired parents - after they accused him of taking the stage almost two hours late for a concert in London.

The singer insisted he had only been 40 minutes late, and blamed "technical issues."

But, he added in a tweet to his 35 million followers: "There is no excuse for that and I apologize for anyone we upset. However it was great show and I'm proud of that."

Concertgoers said the teenage star appeared onstage at the 02 Arena on Monday at 10:30 p.m., when the start time had been listed as 8:30. Many in the audience, who had been waiting for hours, faced the choice between leaving early or missing the last trains home.

"There were teenage girls crying outside," said financial analyst Louise Cooper, who had taken her 9-year-old daughter to the gig as a birthday present.

"The ladies sitting with us had to leave after 20 minutes and they had spent 70 quid (70 pounds, about $106) each on a ticket, which is really bad.

"It's one thing if your demographic is 50-year-olds, but his demographic is lots of little girls who need to go home and go to bed."

Tracy Wilson, who attended the show with her teenage daughter, said people began booing when Bieber had not appeared by 9:30. She called the lack of explanation "disgusting."

The venue apologized on its Twitter feed "to all the Justin Bieber fans for the lateness of his show tonight."

Critics said the Canadian star, who turned 19 on Friday, risked alienating fans by behaving with the same disregard for timekeeping as more hard-edged rock stars.

John Aizlewood in the Evening Standard newspaper said Bieber had shown contempt for young fans, leaving them "exhausted, disillusioned and probably late for school this morning."

Bieber, who is due to play three more nights at the venue Tuesday through Thursday, has been photographed out on the town several times during his current British tour.

"Since I have been here it hasn't been easy with the press at times but I have loved it," Bieber tweeted.

"I never have any intent to upset or let anyone down. And I'm not okay with things being exaggerated. Once again sorry for anyone upset."

He promised that he would put on a "great show" Tuesday - and it would start on time.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. Active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.

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5 Comments

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Lynette

He should refund their money. His demographic is kids, and two hours or even 40 minutes late for a concert full of young screaming girls. He is not a rock legend, he is a pop singer and needs to realize that in doing this he makes himself and his band, etc. look bad.

March 06 2013 at 2:18 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Gustavo

The beginning of the end for little Justine.

March 06 2013 at 1:48 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

hauzofboyz2009

Loser!

March 06 2013 at 1:39 PM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down Reply

myfishrulewjg

I think his lack of understanding for families is heartbreaking for those little girls he claims to care about so much. Concerts are not a every weekend thing. Most people may go to two or three in a lifetime... for him to ruin that and not take responsibility for it is enough to make me cut him from our playlist and blackball him from our IPod. We certainly would never waste money on tickets to see him grab at himself and call it dancing.

March 06 2013 at 10:05 AM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down Reply

kentonpalke32za@hotm

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March 06 2013 at 8:10 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Dick

He was at an all male strip club.

March 05 2013 at 8:20 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

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