Alcohol and Tablets at Concerts

swingaloo

Just want to vent about alcohol sales at concerts. I'm not a killjoy and I know everyone wants to have a good time but I'm sick of going to concerts to find the night is ruined by some prat who doesn't know when they have had enough.

Been to Manchester arena tonight to see The Script, paid over 100 pounds for tickets and left 25 mins after they came on thanks to being seated next to 2 women who were the worse for wear when they entered their seats. during the time the support act was on they passed us twice to go to the bar and came back with 2 pints each both times. By the time the main act was on they were standing and swaying from side to side splashing their lager or whatever all over the place. The woman next to me also kicked one of her pints over soaking my shoes and feet.

Added to this was a guy in the seat behind me who was drinking from a bottle and couldn't keep the bottle upright so I ended up getting whatever was in it all down my back.

Seems they don't care how drunk people get as long as the money comes over the bar.

As well as the drunks problem it was almost impossible to see the stage unless you wanted to see it through someone else phone or tablet.
If you want to watch it through a screen stay at home and buy the flaming DVD.

Rant over.

Pollycat

Last time I went to a 'proper' grown-up concert (The Eagles at Leeds arena) I'm pretty sure you couldn't take alcohol from the bar area into the arena.
And there was a strict 'no-phone, no-camera' policy.
Bouncers quickly ejected several people who tried to take photos.

swingaloo

Pollycat wrote: »

Last time I went to a 'proper' grown-up concert (The Eagles at Leeds arena) I'm pretty sure you couldn't take alcohol from the bar area into the arena.
And there was a strict 'no-phone, no-camera' policy.
Bouncers quickly ejected several people who tried to take photos.

Its a pity Manchester Arena don't follow the same policy. I saw Ed Sheeran there a while ago and a woman was carried out by the staff as she was almost comatose and half undressed.
Probably sobered up the following day and realised she had missed the show and wasted her money.

montyrebel

what did security or staff of the venue say when you reported this to them?

Pollycat

swingaloo wrote: »

Its a pity Manchester Arena don't follow the same policy. I saw Ed Sheeran there a while ago and a woman was carried out by the staff as she was almost comatose and half undressed.
Probably sobered up the following day and realised she had missed the show and wasted her money.

I think the band may have imposed the 'no phones/cameras' policy.

Not sure about the drinking.
It was a few years ago and I wasn't bothered about having a drink so I may have mis-remembered.
I find it impossible to comprehend why anyone would want to pay a fortune for tickets then get so hammered they can't even remember.

swingaloo

montyrebel wrote: »

what did security or staff of the venue say when you reported this to them?

We told them as we were leaving and just got a shrug of the shoulders and got told that 'We cant control what people drink and to be honest if we had to throw every drunk out the arena would be half full'.

Ive emailed the customer services department but I don't expect much of a reply. I feel I come across like some sort of killjoy but its not the case.

soolin

I went to the London Pallaedium last year and that was spoilt by rows of people with their phones held up filming the concert. I asked at the interval and was told they were allowing filming at this event as long as it didn't become intrusive , and a phone was small enough not to be an issue.

It was very distracting

swingaloo

It is distracting. Usually the seats are offset so that when you are behind another couple your view is usually between the 2 heads in front of you.

However now the people in front of you hold their phones or tablets above their own shoulder rather than in front of their face so it does not impede their view but it is in the direct eye line of the people behind.

unholyangel

You could also try your local licensing board.

Interestingly, their (arenas) FAQ says alcoholic beverages are not allowed into the arena area as they deem it likely to "ruin the enjoyment or viewing experience of others".

Tigsteroonie

unholyangel wrote: »

Interestingly, their (arenas) FAQ says alcoholic beverages are not allowed into the arena area as they deem it likely to "ruin the enjoyment or viewing experience of others".

They mean that you cannot take your own alcoholic beverages in. They have their own, highly-priced bars in the Arena, and do allow you to take those drinks into the arena itself.

worried_jim

swingaloo wrote: »

Its a pity Manchester Arena don't follow the same policy. I saw Ed Sheeran there a while ago and a woman was carried out by the staff as she was almost comatose and half undressed.
Probably sobered up the following day and realised she had missed the show and wasted her money.

I’d be carried out comatose if had to see him as well!