Less than two hours before a soca concert in Vaughan was due to start on Saturday night, the show was  cancelled, leaving thousands of ticket holders angry and disappointed.

Carnival  Kingdom, hosted by Summer of Sound (SOS)  Fest Inc, was to be held at the Improve Canada outdoor entertainment complex, starting at  9 p.m.

But at  7.30 p.m., the organizers of  the concert were reported to have received a text message from one of the persons who had  delivered the permit for the event, saying it was revoked.

The annual concert had been held for the last seven years but according to one of the SOS Fest officials,  this  was the first time they attempted to host the event in Vaughan.

In an  email, Michael Genova, Director of Corporate and Strategic Communications with the City of Vaughan, told the Caribbean Camera that  “City of Vaughan By-law and Compliance, Licensing and Permit Service staff revoked the permit of the Carnival Kingdom 2018 SOS Fest event after it was determined that organizers did not comply with the terms of the permit.

” In accordance with the City’s Special Events By-law, both the decision to grant the permit and subsequent decision to revoke, were decisions made by staff and not directed by Mayor and Council. ”

Genova  also noted that the City of Vaughan received” a number of public complaints about  the event.”

He gave no details about the nature of  the complaints.

Singer Machel Montano  who was scheduled to be the headliner at the event, said in a statement  on social media on the  weekend that he was “truly saddened” that he was not able ” to perform for the fans.

“I never miss a show and this one was not in my, or my team’s control. The show had sold out days in advance, a testament to the strength and excitement of the soca and Caribbean community in Toronto.”

“Toronto, don’t worry, this just means that I will have to come back,”  said Montano.

Also due to perform at the concert were Bunji Garlin and  Fay Ann Lyona, Destra,Rupee, Shal Marshall,Voice, Patrice Roberts, Ravi B and Karma with Nisha B, Gregory  and Nishard M and Logun.

Organizers have promised to issue  refunds to ticket holders within 72 hours.