Fans queued for hours to exit ‘shambolic’ gig by Van Morrison
A VAN MORRISON gig in the grounds of an English Heritage property has been branded “shambolic”, with concertgoers complaining of alcohol shortages, hour-long queues for coffee, a seating free-for-all and gridlock in the car park.
Fans and some of the musical acts were caught in a three-hour queue to exit the event, held at Wrest Park in Silsoe, Bedfordshire, on Friday evening. Many of the 9,000 customers are demanding refunds. One industry veteran called it the most “shambolic” and “disorganised” event he had experienced in 40 years.
The event began at 5pm and many fans arrived with picnics to enjoy in the Capability Brown-landscaped gardens around the 1830s French-style chateau. But they were stopped by security officials from taking in food or drink. Inside, plastic bottles of wine cost £30 and cans of beer £6, but the wine ran out by 8pm, concertgoers said.
The queue for coffee was over an hour long and those waiting could not hear the music of Van Morrison, or warm-up act The Waterboys, as disco music was playing in the food and drink area. Van Morrison left the stage at 10pm, but nearly three hours later there were cars queuing for one exit from the car park. Driver Ali Wilson said: “We got back to our car at 10.15pm and sat for two hours without moving.”
Louise Campbell, who has a shattered pelvis, paid £300 for her and her elderly parents to sit in disabled seats for the couple’s 45th wedding anniversary. She said when they arrived other festivalgoers had taken two of the seats and stewards refused to move them. “It was disgusting,” she added.
A spokesperson for GCE Live said that customers were told that food and drink would not be allowed on site and this decision was based on police advice.