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Sam Fender’s highly anticipated gig in Belfast could be scrapped after a dispute erupted between the event venue and the local council over health and safety arrangements.
The chart-topping Geordie rocker is due to perform at Belfast’s Boucher Road Playing Fields later this summer as part of a string of festival-style outdoor dates. However, the show now hangs in the balance due to ongoing concerns raised by the Belfast City Council regarding the site’s safety protocols.
Reports suggest that the council has not yet signed off on the venue's ability to meet the necessary public safety requirements, placing the event at risk of cancellation. The dispute is understood to involve issues surrounding crowd management plans, emergency access routes, and other key safety infrastructure that must be in place before any final approvals are granted.
While organisers are said to be working “around the clock” to resolve the situation, no final decision has yet been made, leaving thousands of fans in limbo just weeks before the scheduled performance.
A source close to the negotiations said: “There’s still hope that the issues can be ironed out in time, but it’s now a race against the clock. The council is rightfully prioritising public safety, and until everything is up to standard, they’re not budging.”
Fans who have already secured tickets are now anxiously waiting for an official update, with many expressing their disappointment and frustration on social media.
Fender, who is riding high after the success of his critically acclaimed album Seventeen Going Under and several sold-out arena tours, has become one of the UK’s most in-demand live acts. His Belfast date was expected to be one of the highlights of his summer schedule, drawing thousands of fans from across Ireland and beyond.
As of now, neither Sam Fender’s team nor Belfast City Council has issued a formal statement addressing the potential cancellation. Concertgoers are being urged to keep an eye on official channels for the latest updates.
If the gig is indeed called off, it would be a major blow not just to fans, but also to the local economy, with hotels, transport providers, and vendors all poised to benefit from the influx of visitors.
For now, the show’s future remains uncertain, and fans are hoping this rock and roll showdown can be resolved in time to save the night
