PJ Morton was forced to cancel his show in Durban on Saturday because his equipment didn't arrive in time for the show.
Recognising that it was a Sunday and most of the audience were probably not yet in a spiritual mood, US musician PJ Morton had cancelled his previous night's show in Durban and instead invited to play at a church in Mushroom Park, Sandton.
Multi-Grammy Award-winning artist PJ Morton headlined Old Mutual's “Music in the Gardens” concert on Sunday and the crowd response was enthusiastic.
However, the Maroon 5 keyboardist's Durban fans were left disheartened after PJ failed to perform for them the previous night.
Related article: “I ate kota… I even ate chicken feet in South Africa” - American artist PJ Morton before returning to Malaysia
Durban Cancellation
PJ spoke directly to his fans on Instagram, explaining the reasons for the cancellation.
“We've been here all day. It's my first time in Durban. It's a beautiful city and I'm excited. Last night in Cape Town was amazing. But for some reason, my equipment hadn't arrived here and I was waiting until the last moment to see if it would,” he said.
“But we don’t want to have people getting here any further late and not getting everything here, so we are forced to cancel tonight’s Durban show.
“Unfortunately, it's really out of my control. I want to perform and I've come a long way to perform, so it's disappointing that I can't make my first show in Durban tonight.”
“I wish there was something I could do.”
His explanation was well-received by his more modest die-hard fans, but one fan claimed he'd bought tickets to the show as a surprise gift for his mother, who had to take time off work.
“Overtime on a Saturday. She just gave up R5000 tonight,” a fan wrote in the comments section, leading to PJ apologising.
Some ticket holders were reportedly promised a refund for their purchases.
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Mushroom Park Church
PJ took to the stage after performances from Wandile Mbambeni and Mandisi Dyanthis, the latter of whom performed a crowd favourite. ngmama, Mabafeel and Zola Ntoliziyo.
Diantis kept the crowd on the Mushroom Park lawn in high spirits throughout his performance.
Mandisi and PJ Morton on Sunday. pic.twitter.com/B7iZSJzvL1
— Brandon Carter (@BrandonCarterSA) September 8, 2024
It resembled the scene inside a Baptist church in the United States as the Americans performed and encouraged the audience to clap along to songs like: All Will Be Well.
When PJ played his version how deep is your love As he sang, fans crowded around the stage, as if to try to hear the lyrics more clearly.
This was due to confusion among the onstage sound team while preparing for the next performance.
The event was hosted by former 702 broadcaster Nong Botha and featured familiar faces in the audience including Nandi Madida, Dineo Langa and her mother Kgomotso Moeketsi.
Read it now: “I really want to reset, recharge and reflect” – Nong Botha on leaving 702