Even as a few thousand fans waited for thrash metal icon, Metallica's first show in the country on Friday, the organisers cancelled the concert citing “technical difficulties.” The show is now tentatively expected to be held on Saturday evening.

Several persons at the Gurgaon venue said irate fans resorted to stealing equipment from the stage and throwing objects in frustration.

“People had climbed onto the speakers on the stage; some annoyed fans even tried to burn a newspaper and throw it on the stage. The security check was the worst I've ever seen,” said Mr Sunal Jain, an IT professional who had come to the concert with his friends.

With the F1 qualifying race also scheduled for Saturday, many fans said that their plans have now been thrown awry. Some who had also come from other cities, would now have to change their tickets.

“As a fan it's definitely not a good thing. I might have to cancel my return flight to Mumbai tomorrow,” Mr Vishal Dadlani, Bollywood music composer and vocalist of band Pentagram, said.

An official from DNA Networks, part of the organising team, said that the issue is beyond their control. In fact, the band's press conference was itself delayed by a hour and a half, because the incoming flight got late, the official said.

“The gates had initially opened at 3 p.m., but they shut it again afterwards. Apparently the barrier separating the crowd from the stage collapsed. The gates then finally opened at 6 p.m., soon after which they announced the cancellation,” said Mr Rohit Seth, an MBA student.

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