Oasis Concert Clash Forces Fringe Show Cancellations

A London comedian cancels two Edinburgh Fringe performances as Oasis concerts overlap with the festival.

Oasis Concert Clash Forces Fringe Show Cancellations

Kate Smurthwaite, a London based comedian, canceled two Edinburgh Fringe performances after she saw low attendance in the city centre while handing out flyers. The Oasis reunion shows at Murrayfield Stadium run alongside the Fringe and are drawing large crowds, with reports that around 200,000 Oasis fans are visiting Edinburgh during the period. The Fringe runs for four weeks and hosts thousands of acts, yet Smurthwaite said the clash has made it hard for her to fill venues.

Smurthite blamed the overlap for financial pressures on performers and local housing, noting that landlords are asking higher rents to accommodate Oasis fans. The episode has sparked mixed reactions online, with some defending Oasis and others sympathizing with the difficulties for smaller acts. The Fringe organisers and Oasis promoters have yet to comment on how to resolve these scheduling tensions.

The incident highlights how a single mega act can reshape a city’s cultural calendar and squeeze independent performers. It exposes the fragility of the Fringe ecosystem, which relies on a broad mix of venues and audiences that can be disrupted by large touring gigs. The clash also underscores a broader economic challenge for artists who juggle touring schedules with short lead times and fixed venue costs.

Looking ahead, this episode invites a broader talk about festival planning, venue access, and housing economics. Better coordination between festival organizers, venue owners, and touring acts could help protect smaller shows without dampening the value of big draws for the city. The goal should be a healthier balance that keeps Edinburgh’s arts scene diverse while welcoming major music events.

Highlights

The Fringe is a shared stage for many voices, not a single headline.