Wu-Tang Clan fans in Australia were offered refunds ahead of shows in Melbourne and Sydney last week after it emerged that several members of the hip hop group had not bothered to join the tour, despite promoters previously promising that “all members” would be involved.
After fans complained that the line-up was far from complete at the group’s first Australian show in Brisbane, ticketing company Ticketek sent out an email to fans attending the Melbourne and Sydney gigs warning that “due to unforeseen circumstances, a couple of members will be unable to join the remaining tour dates in Melbourne and Sydney”.
By a “couple” of members, Ticketek meant four rappers would be missing, Method Man, Raekwon and Cappadonna, plus Young Dirty Bastard, son of the late Ol Dirty Bastard, who often performs at Wu-Tang Clan shows these days.
Fans took to social media to report on the missing members following the Brisbane show. According to People, one commenter wrote, “the worst part was when RZA apologised at the end and proceeded to explain that ‘it’s 23 hours to get to Australia’ so that’s why some didn’t come”.
Wu-Tang shows have always been a little unpredictable when it comes to who will actually appear on stage, but with these Australian dates of the ‘Wu-Tang Forever: The Final Chamber Tour’, fans were promised that “all members” would be in attendance for the group’s final ever shows in the country.
According to reports, fans were informed that Method Man would not in fact be showing up shortly before the Australian leg of the tour began via an Instagram post, but the Raekwon, Cappadonna and Young Dirty Bastard no-shows were a special surprise on the night of the first gig.
Although fans with tickets for the Melbourne and Sydney shows were given the option to claim a refund before the gig because of the limited line-up, Ticketek’s email was keen to stress, “Wu-Tang Clan will be performing and bringing everything that has made them one of the most iconic live acts in hip-hop history”.
