Multi-city US tour of 'Rock On 2' canned

A three-city tour across Houston, New Jersey and California where band Majik comprising the cast of 'Rock On!! 2' — Farhan Akhtar, Arjun Rampal, Purab Kohli, Shraddha Kapoor — and composer trio Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy were to perform has been cancelled

Farhan Akhtar, Shraddha Kapoor and Arjun Rampal star in the film

A three-city tour across Houston, New Jersey and California where band Majik comprising the cast of 'Rock On!! 2' — Farhan Akhtar, Arjun Rampal, Purab Kohli, Shraddha Kapoor — and composer trio Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy were to perform has been cancelled, sources have told mid-day.

Shortly after a teaser for upcoming release, Rock On 2 hit the Internet, the makers announced a US tour that the star cast of the film, wearing the garb of band Magik, would pull off. The plan was for a three-city tour across Houston, New Jersey and California scheduled for October 14, 15 and 16 where Farhan Akhtar, Arjun Rampal, Purab Kohli, Shraddha Kapoor and composer trio Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy would perform. Tickets were priced at $35, $55, $75, $100 and $300.

The events listing page for Oracle Arena in Oakland (California), the venue for the Magik Tour on October 15 carries a 'cancelled' notice

The tour, however, now stands cancelled because sponsors allegedly pulled out. A look at the events listing page for Oracle Arena in Oakland (California), the venue for the Magik Tour on October 15, carries a 'cancelled' notice, with the assurance that the ticket money will be refunded.

A source said, "The sponsors pulled out after the film's music received a lukewarm response. Dream Tour [the recent Katrina Kaif-Varun Dhawan-Arjun Kapoor-Alia Bhatt featuring US tour] had a more Bollywood feel to it. Rock On is not perceived as a quintessential desi film, and the Indian rock music it has to offer has few takers in the US."

However, the film's spokesperson defends saying, "It was a strategic decision so that Magik can plan more shows in India." She told hitlist, cancelling the US tour was a strategic decision taken by the distribution partner (Eros International). "Instead, a 12-city India tour is being planned," the source said.

Although Indian rock fans are loving the beats of the sequel's music, it has niche appeal. A source at Zee Music, requesting anonymity, said, "The current crop of college students aren't familiar with the popularity of Magik. They are warming up to the music. Jaago is faring well across radio channels and is ranked among the top 50 songs on Itunes which is a stable start.

But, rest of the songs feature nowhere since the music released a few weeks ago. The [India] concerts could pump new energy and help the film's buzz." A source at Wizcraft, event organisers for the US tour, said, "We were asked to organise the tour, which we were ready to do. When we were told it was called off, that was that. It was the production's call."

When we contacted the media wing of Sun National Bank Center, the venue for the show in New Jersey (October 14), they told us, "The promoter asked for it to be cancelled. They take care of the sponsors. But, any show being cancelled is a branding loss for the promoter and its artistes. Bollywood fans were surely disappointed." Their Houston promoter Rajender Singh, remained unavailable for comment despite repeated calls. Text messages to co-producers Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar went unanswered, too.

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