Music
Finland says fans should get refunds if a concert sucks
by Dan MacRae
July 6, 2015
Note to musicians: Bring your A-game to Helsinki.
We’ve all been there before: You’re at a concert that sucks eggs and you’re stuck there feeling totally ripped off. It’s awful, eh? Well, according to Finland’s Consumer Disputes Board, you might be entitled to a refund.
That’s right, the Finns have ruled that concertgoers shouldn’t be forced to deal with subpar gigs. This means that if a performance is “well below reasonably expected standards,” you should get your money back and maybe even be able to kick the drummer a lil’ bit.
(Legal Note: That bit about kicking isn’t true, humane, or advised.)
You can thank rock legend/bathroom villain Chuck Berry for the introduction to this new way of doing business. A concertgoer attending Berry’s 2013 show in Helsinki wanted a refund after complaining that the performer “seemed fatigued.” The board determined that the concertgoer should receive a 50% refund for the quality of the show.
Obviously, the criteria for what merits a refund is going to require more than just a solitary Twitter moan.
“Anyone seeking a ruling like this is always spurred by a subjective opinion, but that’s not enough to get a refund. What is significant is a generally agreed view that the concert was a failure, as it was in the Chuck Berry case,” said chairman Paul Ståhlberg.
Also, if an act is high (COULD YOU IMAGINE SUCH A THING HAPPENING AT A MUSICAL PERFORMANCE??????) that doesn’t automatically guarantee a refund.
“It’s not at all unusual at rock festivals that some artists are high, and that doesn’t even necessarily affect the quality of their performances,” offered Ståhlberg.
That sound you heard is the Finnish jam band community breathing a sigh of relief.
[h/t Stereogum]
