Dance party goes ‘silent’

Aug 29 2008 by Andrew Welsh, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

MANAGEMENT are trying to recoup costs after popsters failed to find their voices at a Perth nightclub.

Dutch dance outfit Vengaboys had been booked to sing at the Ice Factory last Sunday morning, but despite arriving in the Fair City in good time, the big-selling quartet missed their scheduled 1am slot after a failed soundcheck.

With the Shore Road venue filled to its 1200 capacity, staff at the club had to run the gauntlet of enraged fans.

General manager Jamie Heald said it was fortunate that many clubbers had been attracted to the Ice Factory to hear production star Paul Oakenfold, who was playing a separate set.

However, he still described the fallout from the non-appearance of Vengaboys, who are led by Kim Sasabone, as “harrowing”.

“I’ve never really experienced anything like that, it was really unfortunate,” said Mr Heald yesterday.

“I was on the door at the end of the night and once we had explained the situation to customers they were understanding.

“Most had seen Oakenfold and had a good night anyway.”

It is understood the Vengaboys, who were staying at the Isle of Skye Hotel, refused to perform after technical problems arose with their backing tracks, which were stored on mini-disc.

Despite club staff desperately racing against the clock to successfully locate the appropriate equipment, the band’s technician insisted his charges were still unprepared to perform.

Mr Heald said management are responding individually to e-mails from disappointed clubbers seeking refunds.

“We are speaking to the Vengaboys’ management,” he said.

“We still have to meet payments made before the show.

“It was a shame the band’s representatives hadn’t been able to co-operate with us as well as we’d have liked.”