The worst part about going to concerts: all those other people. Furious PJ Harvey fans are lashing out on social media, complaining of overcrowding at last night’s show at Victoria Warehouse in Manchester, England, as the Manchester Evening News reports. The venue’s mentions are full up with angry tweets, demands for refunds, and photos of the backs of other people’s heads. Aggrieved attendees compared the crowd to “sardines” and the view to “watching tv through someones window”:
@VicWarehouse it’s rammed for PJ Harvey. Literally nowhere to move. How is this safe? pic.twitter.com/0LXwbDC1W5
— Lou (@emlouann28) November 3, 2016
There’s going to be a @PJHarveyUK gig in there somewhere tonight…@VicWarehouse worst gig venue of all time pic.twitter.com/giOx4Q2ZXq
— Emma Shaw (@emmajaneshaw) November 3, 2016
@VicWarehouse @SJMConcerts shameful overcrowding for @PJHarveyUK gig last night. Not just a rip off but serious safety issue too.
— Sally Sheard (@SallyBSheard) November 4, 2016
Shambolic @VicWarehouse via @SJMConcerts for @PJHarveyUK could see next to nothing, rammed in like sardines all the way to the arches at bar
— McNulty (@mcnultycop) November 4, 2016
Our view at the @VicWarehouse last night. 15 year old daughter & myself had to move back to avoid the squash. Saw nothing of PJ @SJMConcerts pic.twitter.com/i8C95yIaJO
— Dr Claire Fox (@DrClaireFox) November 4, 2016
Watching @PJHarveyUK @VicWarehouse like standing out on the street watching tv through someones window….so disappointed and frustrated pic.twitter.com/Sk1h3BmwOw
— Emma Shaw (@emmajaneshaw) November 3, 2016
Can’t see PJ Harvey but got a lovely view of Right Said Fred pic.twitter.com/AGiylvyaOT
— (((Ian Kershaw))) (@Iankershaw) November 3, 2016
The pissed-off Harvey fans echo similar complaints about a performance by film composer John Carpenter performance at the same venue several days ago:
Can’t begin to say how gutted I am about the John Carpenter gig last night. @VicWarehouse is the worst gig venue I’ve ever been to.
— Noel Mellor (@filmrant) October 30, 2016
Anyone else waiting on a response from @vicwarehouse regarding their dangerously overpacked John Carpenter gig. Would like that refund now.
— PARALLEL MADNESS (@ParallelMadness) November 4, 2016
Victoria Warehouse responded with a statement saying ticket sales matched the venue capacity, blaming “operational issues” and a crowd logjam for the problems. Since the door is in the back of the room, the venue explained, it was the audience’s fault for standing in their own way. (The venue has also denied allegations of overselling at the John Carpenter show.)
This sounds like a job for the Night Czar.