The Canto-pop legend said he had decided to take away the marquee because that was what failed to meet fire safety standards.

The show did not start until way past the scheduled start time as fans were continuing to stream into the venue until about 9.30pm.

Shortly after, Lai gave a speech thanking fans for their support. He kicked off the show with a ­Putonghua classic.

The concert finally ended at around 11.20pm, with Lai saying the gig had to end because of noise control regulations.

A fan said she enjoyed the concert and its 4D elements including a “snow” effect and cold wind during one of the songs.

Another fan enjoyed the special lighting effects, but lamented that it would have been better if the marquee was in place, while another said she was disappointed that the concert lasted less than two hours, although she still enjoyed watching her idol.

Outside the venue, there were at least 300 fans, some shouting their idol’s name as a sign of support, while others sang along to his best known songs.

“Despite not being able to get tickets for the concert, I’m enjoying it from outside the venue. It’s a really unique experience listening to a concert this way” said one Lai fan.

Fans who bought tickets to his cancelled show on Thursday can either get a refund or go to a make-up session on May 4.

But some fans, many from the mainland, said they could not make it to the extra session because they could not afford to stay in Hong Kong for a few more days.

Others from the mainland said that as much as they wanted to go to the May 4 concert, they would not be able to apply and receive another permit to return to Hong Kong in time after going home.

But no one blamed the Canto-pop idol they have admired for all these years.

“I don’t know what to do. But I am his loyal fan and so I won’t blame him. He did his best,” a visitor from Foshansaid.

Some fans who bought tickets to the cancelled show asked concert staff if they could go to yesterday’s concert so they did not have to wait until next Wednesday. The requests were rejected.

“I don’t want a refund. I just want to go to the concert,” a mainland visitor argued with staff. Tears rolled down her face after her request was turned down.

At around 7.30pm .on Friday, the Fire Services Department granted approval for the concert to go ahead. The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department issued a licence at about 8pm.

The Environmental Protection Department said the event organiser had conducted noise tests for a rehearsal and undertaken to ensure sound levels would be within limits.

On Thursday, just two hours before Lai’s 8pm concert was set to begin, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department ­announced that it had refused to issue a temporary permit because the event organisers had failed to meet fire safety standards.

Lai, 49, apologised in a video on his Facebook page. He ­explained that the fireproof ­material for the marquee which would house the show did not meet British safety standards.

The singer had originally planned eight nights of concerts at the outdoor venue, which can ­accommodate 4,500 people. ­Tickets cost HK$980 to HK$2,980.

The Fire Services Department noticed the problems with the marquee last month and subsequently informed the organisers. But they were unable to resolve the problem in time and so Thursday’s concert was ­cancelled.