Irish based concert promoters MCD are suing three British insurance companies over a cancelled Eminem concert. As I'm sure we reported at the time (I can't believe we didn't) the rapper was due to play at Ireland's Slane Castle in 2005 but pulled out at the last minute, officially because of "exhaustion", although subsequent media reports suggested that he was admitted to hospital to be treated for a dependency for sleep medication.
It is costs associated with the cancellation of that sold out event that MCD are now trying to recoup. The three targeted insurance companies who, MCD claim, should have compensated them for the last minute cancellation are Liberty Syndicate Management Ltd, Brit Insurance Ltd and Markel International Ltd. It is unclear why the insurers are refusing to pay up over MCD's claim, though it may revolve around the reason given by Eminem's people for cancelling the event at such short notice. Either way, Mr Justice Peter Kelly in the UK High Court yesterday granted an application from the promoter to admit their case to the Commercial Courts and instructed the claimants and defendants to exchange legal documents.
MCD claims it incurred losses of over 2 million euros because of the cancellation, although they are only suing for 1.5 million euros because that was the maximum amount payable under their insurance policy. That said, the promoter may hope to secure a second payout through separate breach of contract litigation against the insurance firms.