The controversial Boston Beat concert in Boston’s Central Park a week today has been cancelled, according to an announcement by one of the bands booked to perform.
Local rockers Audio Tap posted the news on their Facebook page, saying: “We are sorry to say that Boston Beat on the 21st has been called off  by Boston BID and Boston borough council, re the weather - that’s the second year.”
Just a few days earlier the band had told followers: “Just sorted our set list for the 21st in the park , from some classic rock , to some old favs , plus our own songs we are in the mix !!!! LETS ROCK THE PARK.”
Now they have added: “”We’ve been getting a new set together for that night over the last few weeks -  all for nothing, once again.”
It’s the second time that the £10,000 “free” concert – funded by levy-paying members of Boston Business Improvement District – has been cancelled.
The event scheduled for September last year was called off by Boston Borough Council because the market was operating outside the park gates, and there were fears over crowd problems.
This time, “the weather” is apparently cited as the reason – and although the forecast for the week ahead is not good -  there is bound to be speculation that other reasons are involved.
Earlier this week, local newspapers reported that Boston Borough Council had been accused of misconduct over its handling of the concert.
It was claimed that the organisers failed to give the 28 days notice required but that council officers were willing to overlook this so the concert could go ahead.
This prompted Boston Town FC chairman Mick Vines to threaten legal action against the council after the lost £19,000 when a planned concert at the club’s Tattershall Road ground had to be cancelled after rules applied to his event were said not to have been applied to the Boston BID event.
Nine performers were booked for Boston Beat, plus a food marquee and a beer tent.
If the event has been cancelled, there will surely be a question of cost – particularly as this is the second time in less than a year  - and with just a week to go, it would appear unlikely that Boston BID will receive a full refund of the outlay.

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