Update – Vaccines Gig Ejection at Venue Cymru
An update on the story yesterday about fans being turned away from the Vaccines Concert at Venue Cymru despite having valid tickets, simply because they failed to answer questions such as “what is the name of the lead singer” and “name two of the band’s albums”.
Speaking to the International Business Times today, Venue officials have since apologised to the fans, explaining that it had been made aware of pickpockets operating during the gig – by quizzing attendees the venue believed it could separate real fans from potential thieves.
“In order to ensure the safety and security of our customers an operation was carried out by security, licensing officers and the police. As a result six people were refused admission and a further two people were ejected from the building.
“Unfortunately one or two genuine visitors may have been refused admission and we apologise that they missed the event and full refunds are being given.”
Frankly, it is too little too late. Not only is this an insult bordering on defamation of character, it is also a sad day for North Wales as gig promoters may possibly think twice about using the otherwise excellent facilities at Venue Cymru.
Instead of the above weak response: “Unfortunately…” they should have issued a strong condemnation of their employees tactics together with an assurance that no such thing would ever happen again! The phrase: “Heads will roll…” should have been in their somewhere!
(by chris birchall – the hairy photographer)