AY Comedian apologizes and promises refunds after failed Cardiff concert

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Nigerian comedian Ayo “AY Comedian” Makun has said sorry to fans who came to his Cardiff concert in Wales but waited for hours without seeing him perform.

The incident happened on Sunday at Valegate Retail Park in Cardiff. AY was meant to perform as part of his “AY Live: Single and Not Searching” UK tour.

Angry fans took to social media to complain, saying they spent hours waiting for a show that never happened.

Some fans reported that music played at the venue while they were told AY was around. But the wait continued, confusion grew, and arguments broke out. Some attendees went home without seeing the comedian they paid to watch.

Fans criticized the situation. They lost their time and money on tickets. AY responded to the backlash on Monday in a video on his Instagram page, apologizing to the disappointed fans and explaining what went wrong.

He said: “To everyone who bought tickets, travelled and waited, I am sincerely sorry you did not get the show you paid for. You fulfilled your commitment, and you deserve better. My team and I travelled to Cardiff and arrived before 5pm, ready to perform. Their standing balance for our appearance was due at the end of September. It remained unpaid.

“Before travelling, we raised this, and we were assured that payment would be settled before we left our accommodation for the venue. This mattered because, a few days ago at the store in Leicester, we performed after similar assurances, but our balance remained unpaid. As I speak, they haven’t paid. Afterwards, we also struggled to reach the organisers, even to arrange accommodation for us.”

AY explained that he and the other comedians got to Cardiff and entered the venue. But the organisers’ failure to fix the money issue quickly meant they could not perform.

He said that by the time the issues were sorted, most of the audience had left.

He recognized that the audience had every right to be angry. He noted that nobody should wait forever without knowing what is happening.

The comedian demanded that the organisers explain themselves and take responsibility. He asked them to tell the audience why he and the other performers never made it on stage.

“We were outside for like 3 a.m. before my card was charged for everyone of us to get a room. We made it clear we couldn’t repeat that experience. Even so, we travelled to Cardiff in good faith. Unfortunately, efforts to resolve the payment for this particular show continued into the night. Around 10 p.m., a gentleman introduced himself as a sponsor.

“His name is Enoch Adekoya, Koya Group. Following that intervention and further commitment, the comedians and I proceeded to the venue. We entered the hall and found that people had left. We met a few people who were recording us. I also recorded the empty large venue myself. But by then, most of the people had left,” said the comedian.

AY said he has spent over 20 years building his brand and would not mess that up by disappointing his fans in Cardiff.

He insisted that he wouldn’t leave his family and responsibilities in Nigeria, travel for hours with his team, and then not give his best.

He said he respects the people who support him too much to let them down, claiming he brought the same energy to Cardiff as he did to Belfast and Sheffield.

“It’s not every time that they’ll say, ‘It’s the artist.’ Let’s look at it logically. I understand my name and face were on the flyer, so people would naturally look to me for answers. But an event also depends on promoters and organisers doing their part for the audience and the performers. Apororo, Monika, and I, along with the rest of the crew, are working professionals with families and obligations.

“The agreed payments matter. This whole thing might even affect my relationships with people in other cities. If you don’t know the truth, please don’t let this experience define the entire tour or our longstanding partnership. For over 15 years, I’ve been coming to the UK to do shows. My show in Birmingham is October 30th. London is October 31st. And Manchester is November 1st.”

AY said sorry to fans who faced the consequences of what he admitted was a failure to organize the event properly and communicate well.

He acknowledged that the attendees had every reason to be angry and should never have gone through such an experience. He promised that their ticket money would be refunded.

He said, “For Cardiff, please, everybody with your tickets. And we need to call on the organisers and my management team for a practical resolution, including how refunds will be made. So we need to contact wherever these tickets were sold. Anywhere you got your tickets from. I think you people know how to do it now.

“You can request your bank or card provider, whether it’s a payment dispute that you people call it, or a chargeback for any transaction concerning this show. Please get your money back. You shouldn’t have to wait for a possible return show or seek resolution. Before we seek any form of resolution.”

AY said he would gladly come back to Cardiff under the right conditions, with a reliable local partner to help deliver the memorable evening fans expected.

He added that he took fans’ trust seriously and would not agree to another performance without proper arrangements and a clear agreement with the right partner.

“My team and I would also review what happened tonight and the appropriate formal steps available to us, even if it means going to report to the police officially, because I didn’t come here illegally. I came here to work with a work permit. I respect your disappointment. I value your support. And I sincerely apologize for how the evening ended.”

He said fans deserved better than the poor organization and lack of timely information. They paid to enjoy the show, not to get caught up in a payment dispute that had nothing to do with them.

As of press time, the organisers had not yet publicly addressed the incident.