Harry up and wait... Fans queue for Styles
EAGER Harry Styles fans queued outside Auckland’s Spark Arena for more than 12 hours before last night’s concert.
Some lined up just for a chance to buy a tour shirt meaning that even at lunchtime – a full eight hours before the show – the line for the merchandise stall wound away from the arena around one of the nearby buildings.
Even though the doors didn’t open until 6.30pm, fans ignored Spark Arena management’s earlier requests to not start queueing until 8am and some diehards camped out in a near-by park meaning hundreds had to be corralled behind temporary fencing.
Sydney teen Arabel Foster said she had camped out at the park near Spark Arenafor her fourth Styles gig this year, she said. Her total ticket bill for all those tickets likely exceeded $1000, plus accommodation and ‘‘$3000 on flights’’.
The 17-year-old said she felt safer camping out because she didn’t want to be in a stampede at 8am when Spark Arena said it would allow queueing to start.
At an earlier show in Melbourne, she said hoards of girls sprinted across the street when the lines opened. ‘‘People were getting hit by cars,’’ she added.
On Friday, the venue posted asking fans not to line up for the show before yesterday at 8am.
‘‘If you camp out in the park you are not guaranteed a spot at the front of the queue tomorrow... We’re only looking out for your safety and welfare so please go home, get some rest in a comfy bed, and come back at 8am ready for when the officially queue opens. Please stay safe, look out for each other and treat people with kindness!!’’
The post went on to explain that the J Cole show on at the arena on Friday night was sold out, making lining up for Style’s Saturday night gig impossible.
‘‘We need all the space we can get. The Auckland Council parks team will be sweeping the park tonight and they will ask you to leave. If, regardless of all this, you still plan on camping somewhere near the arena tonight please know that no camping gear or large bags will be allowed in the queue when it opens at 8am tomorrow so you will need to get rid of your gear before you start lining up.’’