While many artists agreed to perform at the concert "Beneath The Stars: Songs Of Hope And Joy" for free, The Veronicas and another artist (crooner Shannon Noll) agreed to sing for a reduced fee of $30,000 each. The Veronicas' management requested a deposit of $17,500 before the concert was able to advertise their inclusion in the performances.
The young boy's father, Peter Hempenstall, borrowed $20,000 from a friend to make the deposit and cover other concert expenses. However, the show was cancelled three weeks before the concert date due to only a few hundred tickets having been sold. The Veronicas' management then reportedly refused to refund the amount, as the money had already been spent on plane tickets and band arrangements.
Peter was not upset at The Veronicas, whom he described as "absolute sweethearts". He was, however, unhappy that their management did not consider the "spirit" of the concert in deciding not to make the refund, as they were entitled to under the contract. The Foundation established by Peter in arranging the concert now has debts of around $50,000.
The Veronicas offered a concert ticket to Peter and his son in partial recompense, but the family were unable to take the offer up. Still, that would have been one expensive pair of concert tickets!
Copyright : MTV Australia
