LIVID fans streamed out of the new Nelson Mandela Bay stadium in Port Elizabeth on Saturday night in disappointment before the main act of the Bay Summer Concert, rapper Busta Rhymes, pitched up – very late – and then did not even perform.

The concert, kicking off three hours late, was a huge disappointment, and Rhymes only arrived hours after the few fans who did turn out for the show had already gone home.

It was the first concert at the World Cup soccer venue since its completion.

Arriving at the stadium at about 2am on Sunday – three hours late – Rhymes announced that he would be performing at La Dee Da’s nightclub in Bethelsdorp instead. The courageous hopefuls who had stuck it out waiting for their idol were invited to the La Dee Da’s performance at no cost.

The turnout of just over 500 people – which included holders of complimentary tickets handed out by the organisers, Third World Records – was a drop in the ocean of the 28000 seats allocated for the event.

Fans were not happy when Wonderboom left the stage and there was no Busta in sight.

Rhymes made a brief appearance at the stadium and then directed a handful of fans to the club.

“We're getting ready to go to La Dee Da’s. That’s where we’re gonna have the show at. So, all of you people up there, go to La Dee Da’s, that’s where we’re gonna perform at,” he said and left with his security guards.

According to Third World Records chief executive Ceza Tha Journalist, the poor turnout was a result of a “tight budget”. Third World Records had never attempted such a big concert before.

“We expected someone to pitch to assist us, but we didn’t get the financial injection we were hoping for,” Ceza said. “The municipality came through for us at the last minute. They gave us some financial support, but it might have been too late already.”

Municipal spokesman Kupido Baron said about R300000 had been provided last week. He believed a more aggressive marketing plan could have made a big difference.

But the disappointing turnout and poor organisation of the concert would not have any bearing on the next event at the stadium.

Keri Hillson would be performing early next month, he said.

Stadium chief executive Stephan Pretorius said everything possible had been done to prepare the stadium for the event. The turn of events was “out of our control”.

Local stars Springbok Nude Girls, one of the headlining acts, pulled out of the concert late on Thursday. The reason for this was legal advice they had received.

Ceza said Rhymes performed at La Dee Da’s from 2am to 4am to a capacity crowd.

Speaking afterwards, Rhymes said he had been impressed with the crowd. According to Twitter reports from Rhymes, he will be returning to the Bay to record tracks for his next album, The Chemo.