Ian Brown Gig Abandoned Over Safety Fears

Ian Brown’s gig in Newcastle on Monday night was abandoned after 20 minutes after part of the floor in the venue began to sag.

Around 2,000 people were told to the new Carling Academy in the city which has barely been open for a month. Organisers have said that there was no chance of the floor collapsing but the venue was evacuated as a safety precaution.

It is believed that the first five joists under the dance floor came out of their springs. Steve Forster, group operations director with Academy Music Group, commented: "Whilst nobody was in any danger, there was a possibility there would be some movement of the main floor.”

"So we had to make the decision to pull the show and that's what we did. We are speaking to Ian Brown to see if the gig can be rescheduled at the back end of their tour.”

He added: "If so, people will be given the opportunity to keep their tickets and go to the next concert, but if they can't, or if we can't rearrange it, they will definitely get their money back."