Elton John's tour manager left the organisers of his Malta concert with no choice for venue but the Floriana Granaries, in keeping with the artist's demand for a historic backdrop.
Three months ago the tour manager was taken to different potential venues across the island, including Ta' Qali and the Luxol grounds, but chose the granaries, the organisers, NnG Promotions, said yesterday.
"It may not have been the ideal location, in terms of the traffic inconvenience caused, but basically it was there or never."
Perhaps Sir Elton will sing "Sacrifice", or "Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word" to the bus-travelling public and motorists bearing the brunt of that decision.
And as they fume in the huge traffic jams being created every morning for several weeks, motorists will probably think they would rather have The Sun Go Down On Them, than stew in their car.
NnG Promotions - Gianni Zammit, Nigel Camilleri and Jonastin Zammit - explained that the Malta concert on July 6 was part of a European tour to be marked by a host of historic locations.
The granaries site was chosen because of the imposing St Publius Church and the view of Valletta's history-steeped bastions.
Other venues on the tour include Hampton Court Palace, in Surrey, UK; the Kremlin Palace in Moscow and the Teatro Greco Romano in Taormina.
The organisers were speaking at a press conference which was held at the Corinthia Palace Hotel in Attard and attended by Culture Minister Jesmond Mugliett.
It was given to try to counter motorists' daily exasperation at the inept choice of site, which has led to traffic snarls in the morning sun as thousands drive to the capital for the day's work or business dealings. Because the Granaries were chosen Sarria Street in Floriana has had to be closed, leaving just St Anne Street to take the traffic. Sarria Street was closed so that spectator stands could be put up.
Malta Transport Authority chief executive Mario Falzon explained that closing the roads was at the discretion of the police commissioner and the authority's job was to ensure safe traffic management.
Police presence along St Anne Street has improved the traffic flow, but disgruntled motorists yesterday complained they were still wasting at least an additional 20 minutes to get into Valletta. Even a bike weaving among the traffic will take at least five minutes to do the few hundred metres out of St Anne Street.
Motorists fuming in their cars with no air-conditioning, questioned why the road had to be closed for over two weeks before the concert to set up the stands and stage.
When faced with these questions the organisers empathised with them, but said that, unfortunately, Malta did not have the necessary infrastructure to organise such a high calibre concert.
NnG Promotions said about 90 per cent of the island's scaffolding material was being utilised for this event, while 2,500 chairs had to be brought over from different entities because there was not one single organisation which could provide them all.
The organisers were also legally bound to ensure that the scaffolding material was unloaded on the road and not on the Granaries, so as to avoid damaging the granaries.
Apart from all that, the infrastructure had to be in place five days before the actual concert, because Elton John's management would be flying to Malta to oversee the situation.
The workmen engaged in the job were at the Granaries before 8 a.m. and were even working overtime on Saturdays to ensure everything was ready on time. Nothing was said about night time work.
"We are doing the best we can to minimise the inconvenience and we are getting a lot of support from the authorities, police and the local council," the organisers said.
Mr Mugliett said the ministry was fully backing the organisers to ensure everything ran smoothly for the concert and to encourage others to follow suit.
Meanwhile, speaking about the actual concert, NnG Promotions said the sound system was being brought over from the UK, in line with the tour management's specifications.
The organisers also confirmed the line-up of local bands who will be supporting Elton John. These are Ira Losco and her band, Corkskrew and Winter Moods.
So far 10,000 tickets have been sold, but 5,000 more are still available and the organisers are hoping they will be taken before the actual night.
Doors open at 5.30 p.m. on the night with the supporting acts starting at 6 p.m. and Elton John showing up on stage at 8.30 p.m. There will be 11 entrances for ticket holders.
Meanwhile, the police yesterday afternoon notified motorists travelling in the direction of Valletta to use the following routes:
¤ From National Road, St. Anne Street, Great Siege Road or Glormu Cassar Ave.
¤ From National Road, towards E. S. Tonna Street to V. Bugeja Street turning to the Mall, left turn to Great Siege towards Marsamxett.
¤ Vehicles which are to be parked inside the MCP car park must pass through E.S. Tonna Street, V. Bugeja Street, The Mall, in front of the Phoenicia Hotel and right to King Edward Street.
¤ From Mondays to Fridays, between 7 and 10 a.m. all public transport will pass along E.S. Tonna Street, V. Bugeja Street, right to the Mall, and continue in front of the Phoenicia Hotel towards City Gate.
¤ Parking is not allowed on both sides of V. Bugeja Street between Sarria Street and The Mall.
¤ Parking is not allowed in the Mall on the left hand side of the road between V. Bugeja Street and V. Dimech Street.