Clapton / Aikenpromotions disaster

Back in February I purchased 4 tickets for the Clapton concert at a cost of €330 for myself, wife & kids and was really looking forward to it. On Friday aikenpromotions had almost a full page ad in the Independent with loads of information for people attending.

In this ad it stated under the heading "Running order" Robert Randolph and the Family Band 6:30pm, Eric Clapton 8:30pm". The weather on the day was awful and in that area it was particularly miserable between 7 and 8:30pm. We decided we get something to eat and head into the venue for Clapton @ 8:30pm

To our horror it appears that "someone" decided that he should start before 8pm (some people said it was 7:45 but obviously I couldn't be sure as I was not there). Around 9.15 in the middle of Layla the sound died as did the 2 large screens but Clapton played on oblivious to the fact that hardly anyone could hear him. The sound eventually came back only to go again about 20 minutes later. He stopped around 9.45 and reappeared for 1 song and headed off @ 9:55.

Having spent €330 for a farce like this I am seriously browned off. Have I any comback given that Aiken Promotions specifically stated that Clapton would come on stage @ 8:30pm but this was later brought forward by possibly 45 minutes?

Roger

There were announcements on 2fm yesterday during the news bulletins about the starting times for some concerts being brought forward. Not sure if Clapton was one of those?

have a look at tickets and terms and conditions, as its a live event you'll nearly definitely see wording like "times subject to change".

Around 9.15 in the middle of Layla the sound died as did the 2 large screens but Clapton played on oblivious to the fact that hardly anyone could hear him. The sound eventually came back only to go again about 20 minutes later. He stopped around 9.45 and reappeared for 1 song and headed off @ 9:55.

Click to expand...

When you say that the sound died, was it all speaker or just some and how long was it off for? Technical failures happen despite best intention and with live gigs like that, all the acts can do is keep playing in the hope that its a minor glitch and it will come back on.

shesells said:

There were announcements on 2fm yesterday during the news bulletins about the starting times for some concerts being brought forward. Not sure if Clapton was one of those?

Click to expand...

Westlife were playing in Galway; it was brought forward by an hour because of impending storm. Ironically, Met Eireann got ot wrong and 30,000 teenagers got soaked during 20 minute rain storm that caused havoc in Galway.

car said:

When you say that the sound died, was it all speaker or just some and how long was it off for? Technical failures happen despite best intention and with live gigs like that, all the acts can do is keep playing in the hope that its a minor glitch and it will come back on.

Click to expand...

I was there too.....The vast majority of the crowd were shouting "we can't here you but perhaps if you were at the very front you could hear something - probably lasted 5-10mins. Thing is that it happened again about 15 mins later and again the screens went with the sound.

onekeano said:

The vast majority of the crowd were shouting "we can't here you but perhaps if you were at the very front you could hear something - probably lasted 5-10mins. Thing is that it happened again about 15 mins later and again the screens went with the sound.

Click to expand...

That's a very long chant from the crowd!

I was dragged along to the Celine Dion concert recently and the sound didn't go and neither did the big screens. She also stayed on stage far too long. Do you think I'll get a refund?

fredbloggs said:

i Was Dragged Along To The Celine Dion Concert Recently And The Sound Didn't Go And Neither Did The Big Screens. She Also Stayed On Stage Far Too Long. Do You Think I'll Get A Refund?

Click to expand...

rogeroleary - I totally agree with your comments on this !!! we both went and had driven for a number of hours, had arranged for children to be taken care of etc.. we also arrived for about 8:25 and walking from the dart heard music.. no - couldn't be clapton .. but it was !! OK, we felt.. don't panic... years of material.. Then the fiasco of the sound and screens going out twice !! then he had finished.. I though they were coming back on .. no .. check the time.. not even 10p.m.... Total disappointment. Between us we have been to tonnes of gigs, in Ireland, U.S. and UK and NEVER had this occur with sound going out.. and then to finish before 10p.m. - it wasn't even raining during this time .. There were a lot of disappointed people at this gig.. Even the bar queues were horrific.. Slane with 70K people (and a rainy day as well) didn't leave people that long to get a drink.. but that is the most minor of my gripes with this complete fiasco.. Very disappointing...And even if the gig was to be brought forward, wouldn't they have been able to send out an email.. nadda .. if anyone has thoughts on how best to complain (instea of ranting) please advise!

Examine tickets to see if recourse or refund available due to failure of gig due to faulty equipment during event, Im nearly sure I read something on a ticket before about that.

I would have thought little recourse for time started as they should be within their rights due to public saftey/bad weather impending (whether it was or not) to bring it forward but if it finished early due to technical failure then I would have thought a complaint was in order.

I was dragged along to the Celine Dion concert recently and the sound didn't go and neither did the big screens. She also stayed on stage far too long. Do you think I'll get a refund?

Click to expand...

I'd bank that one. Something like that could be stored for years.