The board of selectmen in Foxboro has pulled the plug on the Warped Tour alternative rock fest at Gillette Stadium, even though tickets have already gone on sale for the two-day show.
Citing noise, safety and other concerns, the Foxboro Board of Selectmen on Tuesday turned down a license request for the Aug. 19 and 20 concert proposed for a parking lot outside the stadium.
The decision was the first time in more than 20 years that selectmen had turned down a license for a concert at the stadium, Town Administrator Andrew Gala told the Sun Chronicle of Attleboro.
The concert had been announced and tickets placed on sale without prior approval, a practice that is not common but has occurred in the past in Foxboro. It was not immediately clear how many tickets had been sold, or whether concertgoers would be reimbursed. Messages left for the concert’s promoters were not immediately returned.
Stadium management said it wanted to have the concert inside the arena, but the concert promoter refused. Neighbors have opposed the concert because of noise and nuisance.
It was not immediately clear whether stadium management would try again to have the show moved inside the stadium, or would try again to get the board’s approval for the parking lot show.
One member of the three-member board voted against granting the permit, one voted in favor, and the third abstained because he is a nearby business owner and wanted to avoid potential conflict of interest. Under state law, a tie vote results in a permits’ denial.
Dan Murphy, vice president of business development for Gillette Stadium, left the meeting without speaking to reporters.
