A landmark² decision by the country's Consumer Disputes Board means music fans can ask for their money back if an artist's performance is well below what they reasonably expected, the national broadcaster Yle reports. It follows a complaint by a Chuck Berry fan, who saw the rock and roll pioneer perform inHelsinkiin 2013.Berry, who is now 88 years old, seemed unwell during the concert, and apologized to fans while on stage. The consumer body decided³ that the event's organizer should refund 50% of the ticket price.

 

But it isn't as simple as just not enjoying a performance, according the board's chairman, Paul Stahlberg. "Anyone seeking a ruling like this is always spurred by a subjective⁴ opinion, but that's not enough to get a refund," he tells Yle. "What is significant is a generally agreed view that the concert was a failure, as it was in the Chuck Berry case."

 

While refunds⁵ are standard practice for cancelled concerts, it's rare that fans can expect to be reimbursed⁶ when one goes ahead. In 2008, singer Neil Diamond offered refunds to 11,000 fans who attended a show inOhio, during which he sounded hoarse⁷. Many ticket-holders walked out when it became apparent Diamond was unwell. The singer was subsequently diagnosed with acute laryngitis, and cancelled two concerts later that week.

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