Radio station 'sorry' for April Fool's stunt

Kiwi radio station The Rock has apologised to listeners after an April Fool's Day prank involving a "secret" Foo Fighters show went wrong.

The station began promoting the false concert - an intimate acoustic show by the American rock act at Auckland venue the Powerstation - yesterday morning.

They expected around 50 people to turn up for the show this morning - April Fool's Day - at 8.15am.

Instead of an appearance by Dave Grohl and the rest of the popular act, the station planned to play a Foo Fighters album on a tape deck.

But by 5pm yesterday the station was overwhelmed by inquiries and pulled the stunt. It confessed that it was an April Fool's Day gag and apologised to listeners.

Programme director Brad King said the station received inquiries from fans, record labels and promoters.

People were booking the day off work and planning to drive or fly to Auckland, he said, and more than 2000 people could have turned up at the venue.

It caused "absolute carnage," King said.

"This is what happens when fools plan April Fool's jokes. Word spread beyond far and wide."

Apologies have been running on The Rock, while a banner explaining the situation was erected at The Powerstation for anyone who arrived this morning expecting the Foo Fighters to play.

The gag was planned by The Rock's promotional department.

King refused to comment on what had happened to those responsible, but said: "There have certainly been some consequences."

The Foo Fighters, currently playing in Vancouver, are scheduled to perform at Auckland's Vector Arena on May 5 and 6.

In 2003, Radio station 98.1 Kiss in Tennessee falsely announced rapper Eminem would be performing for free in a local parking lot.

Several police were needed to deal with traffic gridlock and enraged listeners threatened to harm those responsible.

Both DJs were later jailed for creating a public nuisance.

 

 

- © Fairfax NZ News