Bon Jovi will perform in Vancouver, but it's not what you think

Fans of Jon Bon Jovi and the Kings of Suburbia may be disappointed to hear that the rock star will perform in Vancouver on Saturday night, however only for a group of some 200 VIP ticket-holders who purchased through the Runaway Tours company.

The tour company posted on Facebook Monday afternoon that the Bon Jovi Vancouver show would go on after the Paper Rain concert production company cancelled the show only six days before the event.

The event was expected to draw around 14,000 spectators and was set to break attendance records for a Stanley Park concert, but according to Jovi’s management team, Paper Rain Performances was unable to “guarantee a properly-produced event.”

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“We have recently learned that Paper Rain Performances has failed to procure staging materials and failed to pay the band, staging, security, lighting vendors, etc. As such, they have not met their contractual obligations,” a spokesperson with Bon Jovi Tours Inc said in a statement.

Dennis MacDonald of Paper Rain rebuffed those allegations, saying the band had been paid but the show was cancelled due to poor ticket sales.

Despite the reason for the cancellation, several hundred people from out of town had purchased tickets to the show through the New York-based Runaway Tours company which organizes trips to various Jon Bon Jovi and the Kings of Suburbia concerts around the world.

According to that company, the show will continue, but in a different format.

“THE SHOW MUST GO ON! Vancouver Runaways: check your email! Details are developing but our trip is most definitely STILL HAPPENING this weekend! Despite the original show being canceled we’re working diligently on a very special event with Jon Bon Jovi, which you will ALL be included in! So pack your dancing shoes and be ready to sing along and have tons of fun- we’ll meet you in Vancouver!” They posted on their Facebook page Monday afternoon.

Another updated was just posted around 2 p.m. Tuesday, saying: “Please note that the weekend performance in Vancouver for Runaway Tours is PRIVATE and ONLY for those who purchased a Runaway Tours trip. This is NOT a public event. There are no tickets available for purchase.”

Fans and those who had tickets to the Saturday show in Stanley Park were disappointed and frustrated after hearing this news, especially after a confusing email from the concert promoters, Urban Forest Club, that stated “Jon Bon Jovi will be coming to Vancouver on August 22nd to honour all of the ticket holders disappointed by yesterday’s postponement of the Stanley Park concert.”

Fans shared their anger on the Urban Forest Concert Series Facebook page.

“Unbelievable! Cancelled? Don’t bother with a rescheduled date. Those of us from out of town can’t make it. Amateur! I’m outraged! Give us our $$$ now!” One person wrote.

“You better have not scammed us all out of money,” said another.

Other comments were similar:

“Why did we get an email saying it was back on from you guys then to find out it is only for Run Away Tours. I am not happy at all as I know there are many others who feel the same as I do. Like come on get your facts correct.”

“It is so ridiculous that everyone is talking about this except for you.. This was a very expensive concert with a lot of people coming from far away.. It’s horrible business practices that you won’t even acknowledge what’s going on or provide any information.. When will a statement be made?”

“What kind of idiot doesn’t secure a permit before organizing a concert? People are going to be asking for your heads soon.”

According to ticket holders, there has been no direct communication with them from the Urban Forest Club confirming the cancellation of this concert.