To warn you about the way outdoor concerts are going?

[MontanaMountains]

I love an outdoor concert, or at least I did. I've been going to outdoor concerts for decades and have seen many different bands and artists. It's a lovely tradition of taking a picnic, camping chairs, a blanket incase it gets chilly, maybe a candle in a jar for a bit of atmosphere.

The first I noticed things were changing was a concert at Ragley Hall in 2019. No picnics allowed, no drinks allowed except a small bottle of water per guest. This is all so they can squeeze more money out of you through drink/food sales. At least we could take chairs!

I've just received a concert information email about the Michael Buble concert I'm going to next month. No chairs allowed, no food, no drinks (not even a bottle of water), tiny A4 size bag allowed per person. You may take a rug to sit on but may be asked to remove it when the concert starts. You can buy food and drink from vendors at the venue.

This has taken all the enjoyment out of this event for me. I'd really rather not go. I'm late 50s with a history of back problems and DH is mid 60s, and the thought of standing for hours holds zero appeal. I'd happily return/sell my tickets but it's no refunds and no transfer of tickets. We're stuffed.

I've got another outdoor concert booked in August and I'm guessing the same 'rules' will apply. Sad as it is but I think our outdoor event days are over.

Just warning anyone with a similar history that things have changed, so think carefully before you book.

Who has voted yabu? Are they an events organiser?

yanbu - hardly a joyful experience

OP

if those rules weren’t clear at the time you bought the tickets you can try for a refund.
you may need to keep at them up to the small claims court. But what have you got to lose

I voted YABU and I'm not an events organiser.

I just don't think festivals or concerts are public services where people should expect to set up as if it is their living room at home.

I'd cut my losses and not go.

This is interesting. Thanks for the advice.

Don't assume that the same rules apply in different venues. There's still outdoor concerts that you can bring your own chair to. But I agree with you on some points. It's frustrating because more convents are going outdoors and like you I couldn't stand the entire time.

It's highly likely we won't go. I really can't stand for hours. I wonder if they'd accept a letter from my osteopath? 😄

I can understand some of the rules, I think that after atrocities like Manchester Arena there are increasing concerns about big bags etc. I would expect some of that aspect is the insurers.

But also yes I agree it changes the feeling and changes the atmosphere. Plus the food you can buy is either expensive or shit whereas when you take your own it is nice and reasonably priced!

I agree with no chairs unless they are kept well away from the arena. Big groups of chairs really restrict the area for dancing in.
Can’t you eat before you go, or buy something from the vendors?

I guess it's a security issue. It would take forever to search everyone's picnics and all sorts of things could be hidden in chairs. It sounds very joyless though so yanbu to not be looking forward to it but I hope you do manage to have a good time regardless.

Do they not offer any accessible tickets? If you've a medical reason for needing seating it's normally an option.

I do find it quite amusing that it’s the same set up for the Rolling Stones concert in Hyde Park. Gates open at 2pm, first band on at 3 something, ends about 10.30pm and again no seats of any description allowed. Pretty sure the stones themselves couldn’t stand for that long and it almost certainly makes it inaccessible for many of their original fans!

Well yes we'll eat before we go, if we go, but I can't stand for hours. I doubt many will be dancing at a Michael Buble concert. I've seen him outdoors before and nobody danced.

Just to say that not all outdoor concerts are like this. I went to one last week. Up to 1litre of drink per person, soft or alcoholic, bring a picnic and chairs. It was lovely.
if you don’t want to go because of these rules I would contact them as it wasn’t clear when you booked and isn’t what you expected.

The food is usually expensive and shit. We went to the Lytham Festival in 2019. and these conditions applied. It was a good event, but a bit of a pain, and the prices they charge for drinks were extortionate. Takes the edge off a bit.

You are so right. Went to BST Hyde park to see Eric Clapton 3 yrs ago. Took picnic, blanket etc was amazing chill day. Booked for Duran Duran. Just got email about the day. No picnic. No big bag. Just rubbish.
It’s supposed to be like a day festival vibe. Not being able to take own food and seating etc is rubbish. I won’t book again. 🤷‍♀️

Daft isn't it? The August concert we're going to is Tom Jones. Surely most of his fans are our age or older?

I'm going to see Buble in Bath Royal Crescent next month and was planning on taking a picnic and some nice fizz, as well as chairs. What a shame. I've seen home before and as you say it's not really a standup and rock out sort of concert. That's so disappointing

Outdoor concerts as in in a stadium or an enclosed space have had those rules for years and years. The A4 bag rule seems to be since the Manchester arena bombing, which is understandable.

I'm happy for people not to be able to bring in a bottle of water - have been hit in the head by one flying before and it hurt! Much prefer it when everything has to be in an open cup for this reason.

It does sound miserable. I’m only middle aged but have always struggled to stand in one place for long periods and I really would not enjoy standing around for hours and would likely end up in considerable discomfort.

I went to my first concert for a good few decades this year and one of the selling points was having a seat.

Is it the Buble concert at blickling hall? We are going to that and had the same email. I was a bit 🤔about the banning of umbrellas - cos that will be fun if it pisses it down!

out of interest, would all of these rules not start to impact upon accessibility issues?

Glad to hear not all event organisers are tight fisted, fun spongers. Who was it you saw? (just nosey) We have a couple of outdoor theatre events booked too. They always allow chairs and picnics. I'm looking forward to those.

Depressing. I couldn't stand all day and struggle to get on and off the ground too.

I imagine that security is an issue, but also numbers, 6 chairs scattered around a picnic blanket for example takes up far more room than 6 chairs in an orderly line. I do think they should provide seating

The catering facilities can’t cater for people with allergies either. Dd could never eat at such a catering set up.