Few acts in popular music are as consistent as Jimmy Buffett, who packs amphitheaters with fans year in and year out. But the chief Parrothead recently experienced a set back at Live Nation’s Jiffy Lube Live Amphitheater in northern Virginia due to two hindrances, one natural and one man-made.
Buffett’s scheduled performance at the venue for August 27 had to be postponed to September 1 due to Hurricane Irene, but the rescheduled date reportedly caused about 10,000 fans — out of the 25,000 who bought tickets — to request refunds.
The hurricane caused several artists and sports teams to alter their schedules, and Buffett was not the only artist to experience fans requesting refunds because they could not make it to the rescheduled date.
Both the reserved seating area at Jiffy Lube Live and the lawn reportedly had noticeably fewer fans at this Buffett show than his performances at the venue in past years.
But, according to published reports, Live Nation’s recent decision to ban tailgating at the amphitheater may have also spurred on some of the refund requests. Live Nation established the rule this summer following several drunk-driving related deaths following shows at the venue in recent years.
Buffett’s shows are known for their all-day-party atmosphere, so the ban put a damper on the festivities. The performer told USA Today that he understood why the venue changed its rules, but alcohol was available inside the venue throughout the entire show.
The situation led the Washington Post to question whether the ban could entice Buffett to consider other Washington, DC-area venues for future concerts.
