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Band's Mexico gig falls victim to swine flu
Peterborough band Kissmet are the latest casualties of swine flu after festival organisers pulled the plug on their gig in Mexico City.
Peterborough band Kissmet are the latest casualties of swine flu after festival organisers pulled the plug on their gig in Mexico City.The band, who played their biggest ever gig in Mexico to 60,000 people in 2006, were looking forward to returning to the country where they were expecting a rapturous reception from an even bigger crowd.
But following the outbreak of swine fever – which has killed more than 150 people in Mexico and affected many more across the world – organisers of the Ollin Kan world music festival scrapped the performances amid safety fears.
The event drew a million people last year, and, with so many people in close proximity, there was a chance the virus could spread rapidly.
Speaking today, performer and manager from the six-piece band Ron Singh spoke of his disappointment.
He said: "The bad news is we had three appearances in Mexico City. It hasn't been cancelled but it's been postponed.
"The good news is that we had two gigs in Columbia and they still want us to travel.
"We were due to go on Monday, but we are now going to Bogota on May 11.
"As soon as they started talking about people having to stay indoors, I knew there would be a problem.
"Right on the nose, we were told we couldn't go. We are really gutted.
"Last time we played in Mexico City, there were 60,000 people there. It was the largest gig we have performed.
"We were really looking forward to it this year."
"Last time we went, we made so many friends out there.
"They had given us the top slot and so we could have expected between 70,000 and 80,000."
The former Orton Longueville School pupil, who lives in Lincoln Road, Werrington, Peterborough, said he had been in touch with friends in Mexico and they were all well.
Kissmet, who are billed as the world's only Bhangra rock fusion act, have performed at Glastonbury, Global Fusion and Rock for People in Prague – as well as pubs and festivals in Peterborough.
Meanwhile, the Foreign Office is advising against all but essential travel to Mexico.
Useful link:
NHS - Swine flu information and advice - http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pandemic-flu.
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