American musical legends R.E.M. have shifted their upcoming Cardiff Millenium Stadium gig to the nearby International Arena – after the band suffered poor ticket sales.
After the multi platinum double whammy of “Out Of Time” and “Automatic For The People” R.E.M. spent the bulk of the 90s as a globe trotting hit factory. The band played a massive outdoor show in the Milton Keynes Bowl in 1995 which featured a support bill including Oasis – fresh from their first number one.
However, times have changed for the band, and a series of poor albums sales have dented their worldwide popularity. However, it’s not all bad news as the group had sold 18,000 – not small changed by anyone’s standards, but a world away from their peak.
In a statement to the BBC R.E.M.’s European manager Bob Gold blamed the general economic climate for the poor sales, and that the other dates were close to selling out as per usual. However, fans are already up in arms over the switch as Cardiff International Arena only holds 7,000 people – a whole 11,000 seats short of the 18,000 tickets already sold.
R.E.M. will play the following dates:
August 24th – Manchester Lancashire County Cricket Club
August 25th – Cardiff International Arena
August 27th – Southampton Rose Bowl
August 30th – London Twickenham Stadium
