Refund calls over concert
ANGRY music fans have demanded a refund after a concert turned into a “shambles”.
Thousands of people went to Signal 1’s 25th birthday gig at Trentham Gardens on Saturday.
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Ali Campbell performs at the Signal anniversary gig
They were expecting to enjoy a night of music from top eighties acts Ali Campbell, of UB40, plus Go West and The Human League.
But fans have reported major delays which left them waiting hours to get in and meant two bands had to cut their sets short. Many have also complained about the sound quality.
Ticket holders, who paid £25 each to go to the concert, have been bombarding the station with complaints since the event.
Steve Bowers, from Tunstall, is one of them.
The 33-year-old landscape gardener said: “I got there at 5.30pm and joined the already big queue and there was no movement at all for almost two hours. Nobody was telling us anything.
“People were getting drunk and loud, people were urinating in the bushes and scuffles were breaking out because people were angry.
“At about 7.20pm they opened the gates, but then we had to wait again in two more queues for another hour or so. Still nobody said anything to us.
“Ali Campbell did a full set, and then Go West and The Human League only had time for a short set. I will be seeking a refund, because what they advertised was not what we were given.”
Hayley Durose, from Shelton, said she felt cheated by the station.
The 29-year-old housewife said: “I’m disgusted. They should compensate everyone who was there because we didn’t get what we paid for.
“We feel cheated. It was supposed to be a professional, organised event and it was an absolute sham.”
Fern Basnett, from Penkhull, was reviewing the concert for The Sentinel. She said: “It was a shambles. People were really annoyed. The main artist was squeezed in right at the end, and the quality of the sound was poor too.”
Lisa Hughes, Signal Radio’s station director, said: “Unfortunately, there was a technical sound problem on Saturday afternoon which resulted in our 25th anniversary concert being delayed by just over an hour.
“We apologise to all those who came along at 5.30pm when we originally planned to open the gates as we had to ask them to move into
an open holding area while the bands carried out their sound checks.
"The concert, due to start at 7pm, went ahead at 8.15pm, finishing later than scheduled at 11.15pm. We thank all those who had to wait for their patience on the night.
“Unfortunately, there can be technical issues with live concerts but I would like to assure everyone that we did everything in our power to ensure the concert went ahead as planned.”
What was your experience of the concert?
51 Comments
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by Oliver, Sandbach
Tuesday, September 23 2008, 10:21PM
“Signal really has gone down the pan lately. Ive turned to Silk FM they play better music and have more local news I think more and more people will be switching off signal nowadays.”
by Paul Kambanis, Northampton
Wednesday, September 17 2008, 5:26AM
“Lets face it Signal has closed its doors! I've tried to call and not had a reply to my email of complaint! I attended the event with family & friends (and we do a lot of these type events) It was a total sham! No organisation, Poor Sound and an uncontrolled first act spoiled the day! A public apology to the artists & their fans wouldn't go a miss! Instead their insistence that it was a successful event can only indicate that they are covering up the truth! I have demanded a refund and will not let this lie down & be forgotten about! I suggest that any other disgruntled revellers do the same! Keep at them as they will leave it hoping that everyone has calmed down!
Trading Standards is an option? If they receive enough complaints they may investigate further!”
by Deb, Stafford
Tuesday, September 16 2008, 7:29PM
“Our party spent £325 on tickets and my friend had travelled from Hull, only to stand in a queue for 2 and a half hours. Like Bill from Stoke we also heard had Ali Campbell had insisted on completing his sound checks in private. We had barely got in before Ali Campbell came on stage and thousands of others were still entering the venue. If the organisers had let people set up their picnics etc, I'm sure people would have been less angry. At least everyone would have been in the venue before the acts began.”
by Jo, Longton
Tuesday, September 16 2008, 2:11PM
“The comment from Peter Cox is on his Facebook profile, but we've tried to contact Signal by email and phone and can't get through”
by Warren, Stoke on Trent
Tuesday, September 16 2008, 10:07AM
“Did I see something about a new station starting this mouth, nows the time to do it with Signal about as populer as the black death.”
by Chris, Bradwell
Tuesday, September 16 2008, 8:47AM
“What a shambles!
Poor organisation, poor sound quality and poor value for money. How can the support act get more time on stage than the headlining act. Somebody should be accountable for the fiasco that was Signals 25th anniversary concert. We arrived at Trentham at 5:30 and got into the venue at 8:25 by which time the concert had already started.We were there with family members that had travelled over from Denbeigh in Wales. None of us would ever go to another concert organised by Signal radio. We will be seeking a refund and I fully expect to get one. May I suggest next time you try and organise a **** up in a brewery to see if you could get that right!”
by Mark, Kidsgrove
Tuesday, September 16 2008, 8:22AM
“I completely agree with Sean in Stoke. Signal is a terrible terrible station, they only own about 5 records.
If they weren't the only station (other than Radio Stoke) based around here they would of closed down years ago.”
by rog, Longton
Tuesday, September 16 2008, 7:32AM
“A party, is that what they call it in radio land. In the real world you call it a rip off.”
by Alan and Jackie, Fegg Hayes
Tuesday, September 16 2008, 7:18AM
“Signal's 25th birthday party.
Spent £50 on what we thought would be a good night. Stood in a queue for over 2 hours from 5.30pm (this the opening time on the ticket.
No explanation or apology.
What a shambles. The main group seem to get the shortest slot.
What a waste of money.
We will not be returning for any more Signal parties.
We should be refunded.”
by Claire, Kidsgrove
Monday, September 15 2008, 8:51PM
“We went to the concert on Saturday and were disappointed that we did not see more of Human League. In the short time they had they were brilliant!! To be honest we tried to make the best of it and went for a meal at Frankie and Benny's, which was very nice, while we waited. The concert had started when we got there but we never saw any trouble or the streaker (damn!). We probably won't ask for a refund but someone needs to give us all a proper explanation and apology. Oh! and please guys "learn to spell". I am appalled, not apauled!!!, at the level of literacy. By the way, Fern, its's Phil Oakey NOT Oakley.”