'Promoter Has Gone Silent': Anoushka Shankar Urges Fans to Demand Refunds for Cancelled KL Show
Sitar virtuoso Anoushka Shankar warns fans after promoter Shiraz Projects goes silent following the cancellation of her Kuala Lumpur concert.
Sitar virtuoso Anoushka Shankar has issued a stark warning to her fans in Malaysia, revealing that the promoter for her recently cancelled Anoushka Shankar Kuala Lumpur show has allegedly vanished, leaving both the artist and the audience in the lurch.
A Long-Awaited Return Cut Short
The Grammy-nominated musician, daughter of the legendary Ravi Shankar, was scheduled to perform at the Plenary Hall on October 4. The event was highly anticipated as it marked her first return to Malaysia in 14 years. However, the excitement turned to disappointment when Shankar announced the cancellation of the performances just one day before the scheduled date, citing circumstances beyond her control.
Promoter Allegedly Vanishes
Taking to Instagram to provide a transparent update, Anoushka revealed the frustrating reality behind the scenes. She alleged that the promoter, Shiraz Projects, has completely ceased all communication. According to the artist, the promoter is no longer responding to calls, emails, or messages from her team.
Shankar highlighted a breach of trust, stating that before disappearing, the promoter had committed to fulfilling all contractual obligations and paying for the show in full. Not only have these promises gone unfulfilled, but the artist also revealed a deeper financial mess: the promoter allegedly owes significant unpaid funds to the ticketing company as well.
"It is profoundly infuriating that promoters like this are allowed to operate, organise shows, and take advantage of artists, crews, and, most importantly, you, the audience, who spend your hard-earned money and time to support live music," Anoushka wrote in her note to fans.
Frustration with Ticketing Platform
The situation has been further complicated by the response from the ticketing platform, Ticket2U. Anoushka expressed her bafflement and frustration at the platform's "painfully slow" response to inquiries, especially considering that they are supposedly owed money by the promoter.
Advice to Ticket Holders
To ensure fans are not cheated out of their money, Anoushka has strongly urged all ticket holders to take immediate action. She advised them to:
- Contact Ticket2U directly to seek a resolution.
- Alert their respective banks to initiate a chargeback or refund immediately.
Hope for the Future
Despite the "mess" and the disappointment of the cancelled event, the musician expressed her sincere apologies to the fans who were put through this ordeal. While this trip ended in frustration, Anoushka left a glimmer of hope for her Malaysian followers, stating that she sincerely hopes to have the opportunity to return to Kuala Lumpur and perform for them in the near future.