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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think the Ariana concert is being held *way* too soon?

183 replies

PenPineapplePen · 01/06/2017 21:18

I think it's a fabulous idea to have this memorial concert. But...

Some of the dead have not even been buried yet. Those still in hospital are unable to attend. Families directly affected by the bomb will have much more to attend to right now than going to the concert.

I think it would have been a lovely idea to do in say the autumn - where people will have started to piece their lives back together a tiny bit.

OP posts:
Runny · 02/06/2017 08:58

The Ethiad was also where they took the families to wait for news of their loved ones. Even if it were available, it wouldn't have been appropriate to hold the concert there IMO.

Original poster
PenPineapplePen · 02/06/2017 09:02

I have changed my mind now having read the reasons. I think it is the right time. Thank you AIBU!! Smile

OP posts:
ForalltheSaints · 02/06/2017 09:12

There is probably no right answer to this though I understand why you think as you do. I think the decision to have the concert in an open air venue is a good one though, as an enclosed one might give fears of falling debris or others which an open air venue doe not bring as a possibility.

What I condemn are those who tried to get free tickets who were not or nowhere near the original concert and those who tried to resell tickets..

Littlechip · 02/06/2017 09:24

Calm down Mrs, you don't get to decide what we can and can't talk about on here. Plenty of people in Manchester will think it's too soon, you don't get to speak for us all. Showing support doesn't have to mean that you automatically have to agree that this is a good idea right now.

I'm in two minds. I can see why the intention is good but I think Manchester needs a bit more of a breather before dragging everyone back to a pop concert, especially because I feel as though she was guilt tripped into doing it. The police and security staff will no doubt need a rest. The ticket system seems to have been a bit of a mess and the rush for tickets has all been a bit disrespectful IMO. But it would make sense for her to come back before restarting her tour.

Frankie89 · 02/06/2017 09:31

I think if it was being billed as a memorial concert then yes it would be too early. It's a benefit gig though, and there are people who need money now so although I understand the rawness of it, I do believe it's the right time.

southeastdweller · 02/06/2017 09:51

Like I said yesterday, seven million pounds has ALREADY been raised and 1 million is going to the families anytime now.

Hulababy I think you're being very naive about celebrities and their P.R.

jay55 · 02/06/2017 10:08

I do feel for the police who will have been working flat out since it happened, having another big event to deal with right away.

Hulababy · 02/06/2017 10:23

southeastdweller - or just not cynical. Of course some people take advantage of things, but so many more don't. Just like in ANY line of business. I simply believe that most people do have natural empathy and a conscience - being famous doesn't strip those away from you. Through DH's work, and other friends' work, I have known of many occasions where very very wealthy people are deemed to be doing things for themselves and living in their nice big homes, with their private income, holidaying in their second and third homes in sunny climates and doing alright for themselves thank you very much. But the reality is they are doing much more privately and just don't feel the need to broadcast it. Dh and friends obviously doesn't share who, what, where - but that is the general gist. Unbelievably, if you listen to the media anyway, there are many more nice people in this world than unpleasant selfish ones.

I refuse to see the bad in everyone, because of the doings of the minority - life becomes a very depressing place if people only look for the bad.

The stage is already being built for Sunday - these things take time and don't go up in a few hours. The venue had to be somewhere available for more than an evening. And, to accommodate that many people - some time in the summer as the big venues are outdoors.

Hulababy · 02/06/2017 10:29

The ticket system seems to have been a bit of a mess

No worse than any other big concert ime . Ticketmaster kept going throughout, there was no crash, etc. They had the virtual queue working from 20 minutes before, so it was all organised in that sense.

Those trying to sell tickets on at profit were being jumped on and deleted quickly and efficiently. Obviously some may get through, but the majority have been stopped and voided. These are then being resold via Ticketmaster - hence why the odd person is able to sometimes get one or two since they officially sold out.

The excess number of people applying for free tickets dishonestly would have happened at any time - almost all of that is sorted now, with additional checks put in place - and it is why is took longer for confirmation than initially hoped for some. The issue with official resale sites has also been addressed. Obviously unofficial resale outlets cannot be dealt with, so sadly some may miss out.

Having tried for many concert tickets over the years, this was much more organised and efficient. Some, inc big stars, have been a disaster.

melj1213 · 02/06/2017 10:56

The testimonial crowd, whilst large, Is no where near as large as the concert crowd.

Old Trafford football ground has a capacity of 75,000 and is almost sold out (couple of hundred tickets unsold). Old Trafford Cricket Ground has a capacity of 50,000 and is sold out, the testimonial crowd is not insignificant when you have to take into account the amount of people in the general area of the two stadiums.

Bars & pubs around the football ground are regularly filled with people who couldn't get a ticket and I'm sure the same will happen for concert goers too.

So my concern is that because the main transport link is the MetroLink, which is right next to the cricket ground, it's going to cause a bottleneck of people. I have regularly gone to Man Utd games at Old Trafford and you can easily be waiting over an hour to get a tram back to the city centre and the crowds are bad enough when it's just one way traffic away from the area. If you also have to factor in concert goers who will be arriving, and then staying in the vicinity since their venue is right there (whereas the football fans, when they arrive, clear the area fairly quickly to walk to the football stadium) it's going to be potentially a large crowd concentrated in a small area.

tabulahrasa · 02/06/2017 11:36

"No worse than any other big concert ime . "

It was, usually you're just held in that virtual queue and by the time you're through they're sold out, this time you got booted out and hard to start all over again.

I think it was just due to the volume of people though.

southeastdweller · 02/06/2017 12:42

This morning Katy Perry announced dates for her European 2018 tour Hmm

HeyRoly · 02/06/2017 12:45

Fail to see a conspiracy south. She's just returned after a hiatus with new music. Of course she was going to announce a tour around now.

mollyminniemo · 02/06/2017 12:50

I think it was organised in haste and put it in so soon as there was nearly a weeks gap before she did anything as any sort of gesture, and was attracting worldwide criticism for it.

MadisonAvenue · 02/06/2017 12:59

melj I'll be at the testimonial with my son. I've gone from really looking forward to it to now dreading it. It's utter craziness that two large events are being held so near to each other on the same day, even with the time change (which rendered our pre-booked train tickets useless) there'll be an overlap. It's bad enough on match days without having something else nearby.

It's not just public transport, i.e. Metrolink, either. The roads will be more congested than usual. I saw that Old Trafford (Utd) parking is sold out for Sunday there'll obviously now be no parking for football traffic at the cricket ground, and usually when there's a concert at the cricket ground the car parks at the football ground are made available which can't happen now.

Hulababy · 02/06/2017 12:59

tabulahrasa

I've had that getting other tickets. Most recently with Take That tickets and the pre release date.That was a nightmare and infact we had to give up and get them on the normal release date. Ay heavy traffic concert can have problems in my experience. But for me and a friend, this time, for this concert - no crashing at all. In queue at 9:40, through to ticket selection at 10:04 and confirmation by 10:07.

tabulahrasa · 02/06/2017 13:07

"I've had that getting other tickets."

I've never had that, I've been unable to get on to start with or just stuck in the queue, but not booted out repeatedly at the point of selecting tickets.

But I don't think it was the system particularly, just ridiculously busy.

LagunaBubbles · 02/06/2017 13:22

Fundraiser for what? It was mainly kids who were killed their deaths will be devastating for their families but I hate the way people think money is a cure all. They won't have dependants fundraising is really tasteless

Its really not diffcult to think about the financial implications of losing a family member so suddenly. It wasnt "mainly kids" who were killed either. Who has said "money is a cure all."?? Life doesnt stop for the bereaved or the survivors and their families, it goes on, they have to carry on, and with that comes bills, expenses associated with life plus the extra ones because of this tragedy for them.

NoFucksImAQueen · 02/06/2017 13:39

FFS this thread is annoying me
People have explained why it's being held so soon. Plus:
•There was no booking fees
•They are trying to stop them being sold on at ridiculous amounts
•The artists are doing this for free, maybe they did donate or well or maybe they felt giving their time was better
•No maybe all the families didn't agree but how often do a big group of people all agree on something? They probably went with the majority

Why do people always have to be so fucking whiny

Now it's well they should have released a song instead.
1: how do you know they haven't?
2: what the fuck are you doing except bitching about what everyone else is doing?

Hulababy · 02/06/2017 13:45

tabulahrasa - The Take That resale one was the most recent and by far the worst for a while. We were getting to check out, entering CC details and it then crashing. I, and friend separately, must have had tickets in our baskets so many times. Was incredibly frustrating.

PrimalLass · 02/06/2017 13:54

Mini cooper ...all the artists are managed by the same manager, Scooter Braun....so pretty easy to get them all together for one night.

This is absolutely not true

PrimalLass · 02/06/2017 13:55

FFS. Children were killed at Ariana's concert. Cannot believe anyone would suggest the benefit concert is for publicity.

Marlboroandmalbec34 · 02/06/2017 14:08

I think it's too soon. I had family members there who were fortunately not hurt but very distressed. They have been sent free tickets. The teenagers want to go but the adults are terrified and it is causing fresh upset in the family

Mumzypopz · 02/06/2017 15:39

Marlboro....they have been sent free tickets? Thought they had to apply for them.? Half my family were there too, they walked through that foyer and out the other side moments before it went off. We have all been through such turmoil thinking how close they were. We haven't been sent free tickets. We didn't request them because my daughter has a GCSE the very next day.

Mumzypopz · 02/06/2017 15:45

Yes primal. My child was nearly killed at that concert. I know!!! That doesn't mean the artists will not benefit (maybe indirectly). Because they will.