Since Lil Wayne failed to perform his scheduled set at the University of South Carolina’s Fall Ball on September 30 at Colonial Life Arena, there has been continual back-and-forth between the concert’s promoters and the venue as to whether or not refunds would be issued. Now, according to local news site WLTX, a judge has issued an order blocking any refunds until the legal battle can be settled.
Fall Ball promoters sued in a lawsuit filed by All for One Inc., Victory Parnell, and Dennis Taylor against the Colonial Life Arena stating that the venue broke their contract with the promoters. Promoters say they never agreed to refunding concert-goers and CLA is hurting their business by attempting to issue refunds.
Judge Robert Hood issued a temporary restraining order which doesn’t allow people to get their money back for the event.
Requests for refunds came after one of the several acts advertised for the event, Lil Wayne, “elected not to enter the building through the venue’s standard safety procedures”, according to the venue. That statement followed: “The safety of its patrons, its performers, and its staff members is and continues to be the number one priority for Colonial Life Arena. While we regret the artist’s decision not to perform, Colonial Life Arena is not willing to bypass its security standards and jeopardize the safety of its patrons, performers, or staff members.”
According to the lawsuit, everyone involved in the show was informed they would need to go through a metal detector at the service entrance. They say the rapper “was objecting to the indignity of the metal detection process being conducted withing the public view prior to the performance”. The suit states that Wayne agreed to a screening if in a more private manner, and a CLA employee agreed. However, other employees told him a private screening was not possible.
Attempts to resolve the issue went on for the following hour. Local law enforcement offered to escort Lil Wayne to and from the stage, but the venue refused. Lil Wayne eventually left the venue. Shortly after, CLA agreed to the police escort, but Wayne had left the building.
The day after the event, Colonial Life Arena issued a statement telling upset attendees that they would “provide refunds starting on Monday at 10 a.m. for patrons. Refunds are will be available at the point of purchase.” The promoters immediately responded, saying that they would not agree to refunds on the basis that “this was not a Lil Wayne concert”. Hip-hop artists 2 Chainz, Tory Lanez and Cardi B all went through the service entrance security procedures and performed as scheduled.
CLA told Lil Wayne fans that they would “continue to represent the interest of our patrons regarding refunds”, and once again offered refunds several days later. Promoters says they this money was contractually owed to them and if refunds are given, the venue should pay them. The venue argues that all security procedures were agreed upon beforehand.
“As a result of the University’s actions in failing to provide a private entrance for Lil Wayne to be screened, refunds may be due to the ticket purchasers, but the University should be paying those refunds from their own pocket rather than the money earned by the promoters,” said the promoters in a statement provided by their attorney, Joseph M. McCulloch.
The Colonial Life Arena issued this statement in response to the lawsuit:
“It is unfortunate that the Lil’ Wayne concert promoters are more concerned about making money than doing the right thing. They have filed suit and taken legal action to temporarily stop ticket refunds. Colonial Life Arena continues to put the interests of our patrons first and we will continue to push for a fair resolution that includes refunds for those who seek them. We appreciate the continued patience of ticket holders as this process continues to unfold.”
Another hearing on the matter will be held on October 19.