Top music stars snub Glasgow Games ceremony

The Commonwealth Games closing ceremony has been thrown into chaos after a host of top Scottish acts backed out.

Some of Scotland’s biggest names had been approached to take part in the sold out event, which is shrouded in secrecy, on August 3 at Hampden.

But the organisers have been forced to go back to the drawing board after several acts snubbed their invite to appear. The reasons for the musicians’ reluctance to perform at the prestigious ceremony are unclear.

However, it’s believed to centre on a contract dispute.

Last night an insider blasted: “It’s a shambles. Bands have pulled out right, left and centre. Organisers are going to have their work cut out securing big acts so close to the ceremony.

“Summer is a busy time for bands playing festivals. Replacements will be hard to come by, many will already have other commitments.”

Both Paolo Nutini and Franz Ferdinand have confirmed they have walked away from playing at the closing ceremony.

The Sunday Post understands other big name Scottish acts have also pulled the plug within the last month.

Paolo Nutini’s team confirmed the Paisley singer, who is about to release a long-awaited new album Caustic Love, had been asked but wouldn’t be appearing.

A spokeswoman said: “Paolo was invited to play. We always said there might be a conflict with his touring schedule and that’s turned out to be the case. He would have jumped at the chance otherwise.

“It’s a shame and he’s downhearted at not being to play such a great party.

“He’s gutted it’s in no way a snub. Unfortunately, clashes like this sometimes happen.”

Glasgow rockers Franz Ferdinand’s management also said they wouldn’t be featuring in the spectacular after talks broke down.

Organisers have kept details of the acts playing both the opening and closing bill under wraps to be unveiled closer to the time.

Global events giants, Jack Morton Worldwide, have been given £14 million to organise the opening and closing shindigs for Glasgow 2014. The firm’s track record includes the ceremonies for the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, the Commonwealth Games in Manchester 2002 and Melbourne 2006, as well as the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

The handing over of the flag to the Gold Coast in Australia host of the 2018 Commonwealth Games will be a highlight of the closing ceremony.

Events organiser Olaf Furniss, who runs Scotland’s music business convention, Wide Days, said: “Bands pulling out at this stage could leave organisers with problems, unless they have a good network of contacts or rather deep pockets.

“Competition for international headliners is particularly fierce in the summer months and the number of available Scottish acts who can draw large audiences, is even more limited. The big promoters tend to have exclusion clauses, which prevent acts from playing at other festivals or events, so this would present an additional challenge.”

Last night a spokesman for Jack Morton Worldwide would neither confirm nor deny the gig had been hit by several big call-offs.

A Glasgow 2014 spokeswoman said: “The opening and closing ceremonies of Glasgow 2014 will be watched by thousands within Celtic Park and Hampden Park and will attract a global audience of more than one billion people, creating a once in a lifetime moment for Glasgow and Scotland on a global stage.”