Fans fuming at Joel seats
CONCERT-GOERS’ FURY OVER POOR STADIUM VIEWS OF ROCK SUPERSTAR There were issues when the stage was being built and had to be brought forward SJM spokesperson
SCORES of Billy Joel fans were left fuming at the musician’s huge Manchester Old Trafford concert after finding their seats had little or NO view of the singing superstar.
Many in the North Stand of Manchester United’s stadium next to the stage were seen leaving en masse as the show started, while others in the South Stand were seen remonstrating with security staff and demanding alternative seats.
Seats adjacent to the stage, which was set up in the Stretford End, appeared to have neither a view of the stage nor the large video screens which faced out towards the East Stand.
Show promoters SJM have since apologised for the situation, which they say arose during the construction of the stage set.
The New York-born musician, known for his huge hits Piano Man, Uptown Girl and We Didn’t Start the Fire, took to the stage just after 8pm on Saturday night.
Fans took to Twitter to vent their fury about the situation after paying up to £105 for individual tickets with photos showing how bad the views were of the side of the stage.
Jason Yates tweeted: “Utter shambles for Billy Joel concert, terrible view - seats should never have been sold”.
Ian Richards posted pictures saying: “Here’s our view for £105 ticket” where he could see the edge of the piano but not the band or the video screens.
Dominique Wedge said: “We paid £105 and this is our view. People a few metres away from us are being relocated but we don’t qualify. There’s not even a screen we can see. Please help!”
She later added that she had been moved to alternative seats, saying: “We did get moved in the end, but
that was only luck. I really feel for those of you who had the same problem. Absolutely disgraceful.”
Ian Archer paid £70 for tickets in the North Stand upper tier - but was gutted to find his view was of the side of the stage. He said: “70 quid to sit looking at a grey stage cover.”
And even Billy himself noticed some of the seats were not so good.
He pointed up to the North Stand upper tier and said: “Man they’re really **** y seats up there,” to huge cheers from those sitting there.
He added: “I hope you didn’t pay a lot for those seats.”
Fan Ian Richards said: “Music was really good but comes to something when even Billy Joel was pointing out fans directly opposite us as being in “**** y” seats.
“Stewards then moved in and re-located those fans.” Show promoters SJM have apologised to all those affected on Saturday. A spokesperson said: “SJM Concerts would like to apologise to those affected by side seat issues at the Billy Joel concert at Old Trafford Football Ground on 16th June. “There were issues when the stage was being built and had to be brought forward of the planned position which in turn affected the side views. This was due to being a new project for the stage company and for the venue. “SJM Concerts tried to relocate as many customers as possible but acknowledge some people could only enjoy the music without a view of the full band. For those people who were affected and not relocated please contact your ticket agent.”