Angry concert-goers demand show refunds
ANGRY concert-goers are threatening to take the organisers of Signal Radio's 'shambolic' Trentham Gardens gig to the small claims court unless refunds are handed out.
Music fans queued for hours to see top Eighties acts Ali Campbell, of UB40, Go West and The Human League at the radio station's 25th birthday event on Saturday.
Go West and The Human League had to cut short their sets because of delays and technical problems and some ticket-holders went home before the gig, which should have started at 7pm, finally got underway at 8.15pm.
Many had queued since the early afternoon and brought picnics. The gates were due to open at 5.30pm.
But some fans missed the start of the first act after the gates only opened after 7pm and crowds were then kept in a 'holding area'.
Back pain sufferer Dominique Stubbs, pictured, aged 44, of Trent Vale, says she was left in agony after standing in queues for three hours and her family had to leave before the £25-a-head concert started.
She said: "I can't stand in one position for too long. I couldn't carry on, I felt like my back was going to go. I knew someone who queued from 1pm to get a good spot. By the time the queue moved it was going dark and people were going to the toilet in the bushes.
"We paid so much money and didn't even get in, we will go to court to get refunds."
But concert organisers are refusing to budge and say no refunds will be given, despite complaints.
Station director Lisa Hughes said: "We have had some complaints but others said they really enjoyed it after a difficult start.
"I understand people are very unhappy but at the end of the day we delivered three live acts. We are sorry for the delays at the start but they were out of our control, caused by sound problems."
However, Mark Moreton, who attended the event with a group of 20 friends, is determined to get his money back.
The 43-year-old consultant engineer from Stone said: "If we don't get a refund, we are prepared to go to the small claims court and fight for it.
"We went for a friend's 40th birthday, but we were queuing for more than three hours with people getting very upset.
"We weren't told anything and can't understand why we weren't just allowed into the grounds to sit on the grass and have our picnics - then no-one would have minded if the music started late.
"Instead we were herded around for hours and treated disgracefully."
Suggestions that the delays were due to Ali Campbell's sound check demands and refusal to cut his set down have been refuted by his management.
Gary Howard, of Marshall Arts Talent, said: "When you are trying to load a band of Ali's size it takes time – time which could have been covered if the event had been managed correctly."
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by MIKE, Stoke
Thursday, September 18 2008, 1:28PM
“Thanks for that Tony.
I wonder if anyone from Signal actually reads these comments.(PS still misiing Wilmer Windows)”
by frank, milton
Thursday, September 18 2008, 9:39AM
“just read in the sentinel a company called urban circus is doing a christmas special in hanley and it is being co-promoted by you guessed it signal radio get your small claims forms now !!!!!!!”
by Warren, Stoke on Trent
Thursday, September 18 2008, 9:01AM
“Thank you Tony, but I still have not the frist ideer who this man was. I would like to see the return of DLT and his darts game on the radio, class that was, and Simon Whatshisface, that man on radio one in the mid mornings, late 80s, did Our Tune at around 11am, hankeys out all round that was.Mind you, for a bit of class you could not beat Tommy 'Nightfly' Vance or Alan 'Fluff' Freeman or indeed the best of them all Sir John Peel, all now vary sadly missed.”
by Tony, Stoke
Thursday, September 18 2008, 8:31AM
“For your information guys..
This was reported in the Sentinel on September 03.
SIGNAL 1 DJ Andy Goulding has quit the station after six years on the breakfast show.
The new job means Andy will also be missing from the stage at this year's Regent Theatre panto¿. Andy will be replaced by DJ Darren Spence from September 29.
Louise Stones is presenting the breakfast show with mid-morning presenter James Macdonald this month until Darren's arrival.
Darren, who is moving from Heart FM, said: "I cannot wait to start working with Louise. We're going to have a lot of fun every morning." Simon Walkington, deputy group programme director of station owner UTV Radio, said: "I'm confident Darren and Louise will hit the ground running, grow the audience and continue to be the number one breakfast show in Staffordshire and Cheshire."
On the subject of the Concert, surely they can be sued for false advertising, re: the advert on the radio stating 3 FULL SETS?! and no mention of subject to change?”
by Warren, Stoke on Trent
Thursday, September 18 2008, 8:12AM
“Hear, you lot are doing so well, I thought I'd leave you to it. Who the hell is Andy Glouding, I dont even know who he is, never alown that hes buzzed of somewhere. Roll on the birth of Focal cos I'v heard Mels on his way back, nows theres a real pro for you.
We're the workers hear at Hide Park Tiels, we've got tiels in loads of ...and so on.”
by Melanie, stoke
Wednesday, September 17 2008, 6:16PM
“where is warren?”
by Lillian, Stoke on Trent
Wednesday, September 17 2008, 6:00PM
“I went to Signals 25th Birthday, at Trentham on saturday, along with my daughter.
We had a great night,
Louise Stubbs and James Macdonald, did a great job, comparing the show.
The entertainment was great, The weather was perfect.
What more could we ask for.
I have been to many open air gigs, things can go wrong, and often do The worse scenario, would have been to have queued, for 2 hours. Only to be told it was to be canncelled.
Which didnt happen.
People are also saying, no one came to tell them anything, about what was happening.
I might add, someone did come to tell us. While we were in the of the queue, by the side of the lake .
Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves where we were.
Well done Signal”
by Melanie, hanley
Wednesday, September 17 2008, 3:59PM
“James McDonalds in the new brekkie presenter with Louise”
by Mike, Stoke
Wednesday, September 17 2008, 3:51PM
“Melanie I think his name is Jim.
When they introduced him they played Human League first and then followed it with a couple of adverts and then Louise told us how wonderful she is, then they did the lowest whatever auction”
by Melanie, mel
Wednesday, September 17 2008, 3:24PM
“the new presenter is someone called Jason I thik”