Nigerian comedian Ayo “AY Comedian” Makun has apologised to furious fans who turned up for his Cardiff concert in Wales but waited for hours without seeing him perform.
The incident occurred on Sunday at Valegate Retail Park in Cardiff, where AY was scheduled to perform as part of his “AY Live: Single and Not Searching” UK tour.
Angry attendees took to social media to condemn the experience, saying they wasted hours waiting for a performance that never materialised.
Some fans said music played at the venue while they received repeated assurances that AY was around. However, the wait continued, confusion mounted, and heated arguments broke out, leaving some attendees to return home without seeing the comedian they paid to watch.
The incident sparked criticism from fans who sacrificed their time and paid for tickets. AY addressed the backlash on Monday in a video posted on his Instagram page, apologised to disappointed attendees, and explained what happened.
He said: “To everyone who bought tickets, travelled and waited, I am sincerely sorry you did not get the show you paid for. You fulfilled your commitment, and you deserve better. My team and I travelled to Cardiff and arrived before 5pm, ready to perform. Their standing balance for our appearance was due at the end of September. It remained unpaid.
“Before travelling, we raised this, and we were assured that payment would be settled before we left our accommodation for the venue. This mattered because, a few days ago at the store in Leicester, we performed after similar assurances, but our balance remained unpaid. As I speak, they haven’t paid. Afterwards, we also struggled to reach the organisers, even to arrange accommodation for us.”
“We were there”
AY said he and the other comedians made it to Cardiff and entered the venue, but the organisers’ failure to resolve the financial dispute promptly cost them their chance to perform.
He said that after the issues were resolved, most of the audience had left for home.
He acknowledged that the audience had every right to be frustrated, noting that nobody should expect people to wait endlessly without telling them what is going on.
The comedian demanded that the organisers explain themselves and take responsibility, asking them to tell the audience why he and the other performers never made it on stage.
“We were outside for like 3 a.m. before my card was charged for everyone of us to get a room. We made it clear we couldn’t repeat that experience. Even so, we travelled to Cardiff in good faith. Unfortunately, efforts to resolve the payment for this particular show continued into the night. Around 10 p.m., a gentleman introduced himself as a sponsor.
“His name is Enoch Adekoya, Koya Group. Following that intervention and further commitment, the comedians and I proceeded to the venue. We entered the hall and found that people had left. We met a few people who were recording us. I also recorded the empty large venue myself. But by then, most of the people had left”, said the comedian.
“Not artists’ blame”
AY said he had dedicated over 20 years to building his brand and would not jeopardise that effort by letting his supporters down in Cardiff.
He maintained that he wouldn’t leave his family and responsibilities in Nigeria, travel for hours with his team and then show up without giving his best.
He said he respected the people who supported him too much to disappoint them, insisting that he brought the same energy to Cardiff as he did to Belfast and Sheffield.
“It’s not every time that they’ll say, ‘ It’s the artist. Let’s look at it logically. I understand my name and face were on the flyer, so people would naturally look to me for answers. But an event also depends on promoters and organisers fulfilling their responsibilities to the audience and to the performers. Apororo, Monika, and I, along with the rest of the crew, are working professionals with families and obligations.
“The agreed payments matter. This whole thing might even affect my relationships with people in other cities. If you don’t know the truth, please don’t let this experience define the entire tour or our longstanding partnership. For over 15 years, I’ve been coming to the UK to do shows. My show in Birmingham is October 30th. London is October 31st. And Manchester is November 1st.”
Refunds
AY apologised to fans who bore the consequences of what he admitted was a failure to organise the event properly and communicate effectively.
He acknowledged that the attendees had every reason to be angry and should never have been subjected to such an experience. He promised that their ticket money would be refunded.
He said, “For Cardiff, please, everybody with your tickets. And we need to call on the organisers and my management team for a practical resolution, including how refunds will be made. So we need to contact wherever these tickets were sold. Anywhere you got your tickets from. I think you people know how to do it now.
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“You can request your bank or card provider, whether it’s a payment dispute that you people call it, or a chargeback for any transaction concerning this show. Please get your money back. You shouldn’t have to wait for a possible return show or seek resolution. Before we seek any form of resolution.”
Return to Cardiff
AY said he would gladly return to Cardiff under the right conditions, provided he worked with a reliable local partner who could help deliver the memorable evening fans expected.
He added that he took fans’ trust seriously and would not agree to another performance without proper arrangements and a clear agreement with the right partner.
“My team and I would also review what happened tonight and the appropriate formal steps available to us, even if it means going to report to the police officially, because I didn’t come here illegally. I came here to work with a work permit. I respect your disappointment. I value your support. And I sincerely apologise for how the evening ended.”
He said fans deserved better than the poor organisation and lack of timely information. They paid to enjoy the show, not to get caught up in a payment dispute that had nothing to do with them.
As of press time, the organisers had not yet publicly addressed the incident.
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