Whether or not their bus broke down, the wheels fell off Monday's Stone Temple Pilots concert inside the Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre.

The mechanical failure of their main transportation was one of many rumours floating between empty seats as minutes and hours ticked away between the opening and main acts - taking ticket-holders with them.

After Crash Kings kicked things off around 8:30 p.m. there was little for the audience to do but wait, drink, eat, sleep, or leave - which many did.

When the headliners hadn't shown by their expected start time of 9:45, the sound of upbeat fans singing strands of STP hits like Plush, Creep, Interstate Love Song, Vasoline, and Sour Girl crumbled into boos and shouts against lead singer Scott Weiland's well-documented weakness for drugs and alcohol.

By 10:30 the only stage action was visits by stagehands clearing empty beer cups tossed from the crowd.

Whispers that Weiland was holed up in his private tour bus and likely wouldn't perform grew into concerns about violence. Someone in the pit said police were coming with riot gear. Trapped between running for more beer and losing their spot on the floor, the more lubricated fans grew unruly, while others rested heads against nearby shoulders or front-row barricades. At least one woman was simply lying on the arena floor, seemingly fast asleep.

While AESC events staff appeared to do what they could to curtail any catastrophe, they seemed stonewalled by the Pilots and their management.

Ultimately, no one from the band's side addressed the crowd to alleviate cancellation concerns, or offer simple appreciation for thinning patience.

Then, at nearly 11 p.m. - 2 hours after the most optimistic fans expected them, and at least an hour and 15 minutes later than staff thought - Stone Temple Pilots took to the stage, a lethargic Weiland bringing up the rear.

"Sorry we're late," he mumbled a couple songs into the set, adding with a smirk, "that was an inside joke".

Unfortunately for the thousands who paid hard-earned dollars for a weeknight concert from one of the more popular rock bands of the 1990s, Weiland and his group were the real joke - though few were smiling.

After the concert, the band cancelled its show scheduled for the following night in Lethbridge, Alta.

AESC general manager Jason Blumenfeld told the Times refunds will not be provided to those who left early, or felt they didn't get their money's worth.

"There are no refunds or exchanges. The show went on," he said.

"It says on the tickets no refunds," though there have been phone calls from unsatisfied fans expecting their money back, he admitted.

Blumenfeld doesn't know exactly how many people left the venue before STP eventually took the stage. Moving on, his focus is on people coming in, not going out.

"We're just looking forward to the John Fogarty concert on Sept. 28. It's

going to be a great show."

Here's what concertgoers had to say on Twitter from inside the AESC Monday night:

@AndrewBucholtz: Well, this is interesting. Almost 90 mins after opening band, Stone Temple Pilots not on stage. Crowd getting restless, booing loudly.

@sandj1984: People are leaving the building_Stone Temple Pilots haven't appeared and the crowd is booing

@mysterysnake: So is stone temple pilots cancelled or what???? 2 hrs late to stage! WTF!?

@vyesac: stone temple pilots are frauds #worst concert ever

@sandra5fleming: Zayden first concert - Stone Temple Pilots - and it's a no-show. Sorry hon. Glad we left at 10:30. #long wait #yuckydrunkpeople

@twistedtanners: #stp - EPIC FAIL! Waited two hours for the band_never again.

@TheRedShadow1: #stp Expect the refund call tomorrow. Don't care if you went on stage. 2 hours late is totally unacceptable!

@TheMidniteFaery: Better late than never!! Stone Temple Pilots came on!! http://instagr.am/p/PtLcVCquG0