MEGADETH has dismissed Peter Frampton‘s claim about why both artists had their concerts canceled last week at Virginia Credit Union Live! at the Richmond Raceway in Richmond, Virginia.

On Sunday, September 15, MEGADETH announced that the band’s show at the venue was being called off, writing in a social media post: “Due to unexpected and unpredictable circumstances, our show tonight, Sunday, Sept. 15, in Richmond, Virginia, has been canceled and will not be rescheduled.” Two days later, Frampton, who was scheduled to perform on Tuesday night, also called off his show. “Due to unforeseen circumstances, our show tonight at Virginia Credit Union Live has been cancelled,” a post on Frampton‘s Facebook page read. “We apologize for the inconvenience. Refunds will be available at point of purchase.”

After Frampton‘s cancelation, AEG Presents, which handles booking for the 6,000-capacity venue, did not respond to requests for comment from the Richmond Times-Dispatch. But the English-American guitarist and songwriter addressed the cancelations while performing at the The Met in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania last Thursday (September 19). Frampton told the crowd at the gig: “So, we had a show canceled the other day because of weather. And also MEGADETH did a soundcheck, I think a couple of days before our show, and after they finished their soundcheck, there was structural damage to the stage. I’m not blaming them — could have been another band — but it looks pretty like it. So, sorry, MEGADETH. I had to rat on you.”

Earlier today, MEGADETH‘s publicists at Schneider Rondan Organization released the following statement to BLABBERMOUTH.NET: “Based on Peter Frampton‘s recent statement, MEGADETH feels it’s important to clear up some misinformation about the group’s recent show cancellation (Sunday, September 15 at Virginia Credit Union Live! at Richmond Raceway in Richmond, Virginia). As recently reported, Frampton stated that MEGADETH‘s soundcheck damaged the venue, forcing Frampton to also cancel his show there a few days later.

“MEGADETH did not even get a chance to sound check at all in Richmond, Virginia contrary to what Peter Frampton reports. MEGADETH‘s rigger was in the venue’s steel grid system above the stage getting ready to hang the lights when he noticed there was damage to the venue’s grid. He pointed this out immediately to the promoters and the venue. It was determined that it was unsafe for MEGADETH to hang their production or put the band on stage at the risk of in-house grid failure to support the weight of the touring lighting and sound which could fall on the band, crew members, or audience, as it could cause serious injury or death. Therefore, MEGADETH, the local promoter, the venue, and booking agents had no other option than to cancel the show.”

MEGADETH leader Dave Mustaine added in a statement: “It seems Frampton was misinformed about our show being canceled. The decision was purely based on safety. It’s disappointing when someone you admire talks out their ass about you.”

In 2017, Virginia Credit Union Live! celebrated its 25th anniversary by forging a multi-year partnership with AEG Presents. The partnership brought new acts to the venue as well as continued the tradition of being the hub for outdoor concerts in Richmond.

Richmond Raceway and AEG Presents are in the eighth year of an exclusive 10-year booking agreement for Virginia Credit Union Live!, which is said to be the only covered amphitheater in the greater Richmond region.

Virginia Credit Union, a financial cooperative serving more than 320,000 members, continues its multi-year agreement on the naming rights of the amphitheater. As a partner since 2018, Virginia Credit Union is actively a part of the concert experience with the distinctive Virginia Credit Union Live! brand represented throughout the facility to colorfully convey the energy and excitement of the venue. Virginia Credit Union members also get exclusive access to pre-sales and free parking for concerts.

In May 2019, Richmond Raceway unveiled a completed $500,000 amphitheater redevelopment at Virginia Credit Union Live! The capital investment included a reseating of the venue to create flexible seating and additional aisles to offer fans the best views and concert experience. The new removable padded seats in the front half of the venue have provided flexible options for the amphitheater to offer reserved seating, general admission seating or a standing pit area. The expanded pit area has allowed more rock and alternative shows to perform at the venue.

Additional improvements to Virginia Credit Union Live! include a new stage, speaker system on Commonwealth Mall, new landscaping along the seating entrance, new restroom open on the hill and new backstage fencing. Past improvements include a porta bar on the hill overlooking concerts, public WiFi, updated public restrooms and redeveloped back of house to improve the experience for entertainers with updated star rooms and other new features.