Comedian blames Oasis for nobody attending Edinburgh Fringe show: “Oasis should be more considerate”
Comedian Kate Smurthwaite has blamed Oasis‘ concerts at the Murrayfield Stadium for cancelling a performance at the Edinburgh Festival because nobody attended.
Oasis’ reunion tour recently concluded five dates at Wembley Stadium in London following residencies in Cardiff and Manchester. Now, it’s Scotland’s turn to enjoy the reunion with Oasis set to play in Edinburgh on August 8th, August 9th and August 12th.
However, their visit to the Scottish capital coincides with the Edinburgh Fringe, the world’s biggest arts festival, which runs for four weeks every summer. With a finite number of hotel rooms in the city, Smurthwaite says that attendances for shows at the Fringe have been impacted due to Oasis coming to town.
Taking to Instagram, Smurthwaite filmed herself from her venue 25 minutes after the show was scheduled to start to reveal that she had to cancel two shows on August 7th due to the lack of attendance.
The English comic said that she had noticed a difference in clientele when flyering in the city centre, with nobody interested in attending the Fringe.
She added: “Big groups of people in Oasis shirts are not interested in my show or anybody else’s. I’m also aware of performers losing their accommodations because landlords have suddenly realised they can make more money by renting the space out to Oasis fans. It’s absolutely heartbreaking to be cancelling shows for the first time in ten years at the Edinburgh Fringe.”
Smurthwaite then called on Oasis to have considered the Fringe when planning their tour, “I’m pulling shows because no one turned up. I think the Fringe Society should have seen this coming and done more about it and a band like Oasis should be more considerate of their fellow performers when they decide where and when to put their shows on.”
Due to Oasis’ shows in Edinburgh and the Fringe, hotel prices have skyrocketed in the city. According to audit, tax, and consulting firm RSM UK, the average hotel rate rose to £613 on August 8th from £321 seven days prior.
Later this month, Edinburgh will stage huge concerts by Chappell Roan, AC/DC, and Sam Fender, which coincide with the Fringe.
For tonight’s Oasis show, like the rest of their tour so far, Cast will take to the stage at 18:00 before Richard Ashcroft at 19:00 and Oasis at 20:15 with a venue curfew set for 22:30.
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