Gig disasters

Merde Tete · Feb 8, 2023

StatisTYKE said: ↑

Has to be this one at an Oasis gig at Knebworth.

A hot afternoon. Queues for the beer tent were so long I just couldn’t be bothered to join one. Obviously, anyone who did wasn’t buying just a pint or two. Watched as one bloke carefully walked out with a cardboard box stacked with plastic glasses full of ale.

Suddenly the bottom fell out. The lot went.

He just stood there staring at his feet. Everyone looked on in quiet horror. Then one bloke walked over and gently put his arm around his shoulder. We mourned as one.
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Could have been worse. My mate was in a similar situation at the Arctic Monkeys at Headingly. Luckily a kind bloke said he'd accidentally bought too many and my mate could have two pints for a fiver. I think you know what's coming next....

Scoff said: ↑

Back in the early 90s, I was a big Pixies fan. My bedroom door had a big poster on. One day my then-girlfriend came back from university in Scarborough to visit, took one look at the poster and said "Oh, they played the Futurist last week. You should have gone..." (I knew nothing about it but iirc it was a pre-tour warm-up gig.

First year at uni, I wanted to go see a concert at the Hallamshire featuring iirc Mudhoney, Tad and a little known Seattle 3 piece called Nirvana. I couldn't get the night off work, so couldn't go. A friend from uni had a ticket, and forgot all about it until I asked him how it was the day after...
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Oh dear. Did you ever manage to see them? I had tickets for the NEC in Birmingham, but Kurt Cobain somewhat inconsiderately shot himself a couple of months before.

Gimson&theBarnsleys · Feb 8, 2023

Merde Tete said: ↑

A couple of people started posting tales of their gig disasters in the Gary Glitter thread, but I think it's a bit of a waste them being buried in there, so I thought it best to start a separate one.

My concert record is generally pretty good apart from having tickets to 3 REM shows that got cancelled (out of a total of 8 they cancelled across their whole career).

My pinnacle was when I went to see New Young Pony Club at an outdoor event a few years ago, which was part of a wider summer music festival which took place in St Petersburg every summer. The venues change every year, and this was no exception. We made the mistake of arriving around 7, with NYPC due on stage at 9. But at this particular venue there was really absolutely nothing to do apart from drink the bar dry, which we duly did. The support act appeared around 8, and although they were a bit lame, I decided to stay at the front as I wanted a good view. Although there was very little need to do this, as there was hardly anyone there. This should have set the alarm bells ringing, but I just decided that even among the hipster crowd, not too many people in St Petersburg were into obscure art house bands from England.

The "support act" carried on playing until about 9.30, which I thought was odd, but just assumed that NYPC had decided to be fashionably late. By this time I was pretty hammered, as my mate (who has no interest in music whatsoever) had been shuttling to the bar and back keeping me supplied with vodka, as I jealousy guarded my place next to the stage. I spent the next 30 minutes or so shouting "come on ponies!" at an empty stage, much to the amusement of the few remaining people near me. Eventually at around 10, I started asking people if they knew anything about New Young Pony Club's whereabouts, and whether they were late or had even cancelled. Cue bemused looks, and several suggestions that maybe I should check out the main stage, located inside the massive white building near the main entrance, that I had somehow completely failed to notice. I stumbled in to find it absolutely packed and NYPC returning to the stage for their final encore, which consisted of a grand total of one song. I stayed until the end and then promptly vomited and then realised that I'd lost my wife and most of my mates and that my phone was out of battery. Managed to find vodka supply friend who took me back to sleep at his place, via an off-licence where we bought a couple of beers to alleviate the effects of the vodka. The next day was a joyous mix of immense disappointment at missing the gig, disbelief at myself for my utter stupidity, a mixture of rage and worry from my wife about my going AWOL, and the worst hangover of my life. The only saving grace was knowing what a tremendous story it would make.
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Going to see the Glittery one; twice.

Barnsley Chopin · Feb 8, 2023

3 from me:

Kenickie at the Cockpit in Leeds - mate and I were in the back bar convinced it was just the support act on. It wasn't.

Reading '96 - Stone Roses. So bad they made me vomit.

A 'dad' one - he went to see the Who in the 60's, Manchester Poly. Got so piss3d he fell asleep in the bogs and missed the whole gig.

Gimson&theBarnsleys · Feb 8, 2023

Merde Tete said: ↑

A couple of people started posting tales of their gig disasters in the Gary Glitter thread, but I think it's a bit of a waste them being buried in there, so I thought it best to start a separate one.

My concert record is generally pretty good apart from having tickets to 3 REM shows that got cancelled (out of a total of 8 they cancelled across their whole career).

My pinnacle was when I went to see New Young Pony Club at an outdoor event a few years ago, which was part of a wider summer music festival which took place in St Petersburg every summer. The venues change every year, and this was no exception. We made the mistake of arriving around 7, with NYPC due on stage at 9. But at this particular venue there was really absolutely nothing to do apart from drink the bar dry, which we duly did. The support act appeared around 8, and although they were a bit lame, I decided to stay at the front as I wanted a good view. Although there was very little need to do this, as there was hardly anyone there. This should have set the alarm bells ringing, but I just decided that even among the hipster crowd, not too many people in St Petersburg were into obscure art house bands from England.

The "support act" carried on playing until about 9.30, which I thought was odd, but just assumed that NYPC had decided to be fashionably late. By this time I was pretty hammered, as my mate (who has no interest in music whatsoever) had been shuttling to the bar and back keeping me supplied with vodka, as I jealousy guarded my place next to the stage. I spent the next 30 minutes or so shouting "come on ponies!" at an empty stage, much to the amusement of the few remaining people near me. Eventually at around 10, I started asking people if they knew anything about New Young Pony Club's whereabouts, and whether they were late or had even cancelled. Cue bemused looks, and several suggestions that maybe I should check out the main stage, located inside the massive white building near the main entrance, that I had somehow completely failed to notice. I stumbled in to find it absolutely packed and NYPC returning to the stage for their final encore, which consisted of a grand total of one song. I stayed until the end and then promptly vomited and then realised that I'd lost my wife and most of my mates and that my phone was out of battery. Managed to find vodka supply friend who took me back to sleep at his place, via an off-licence where we bought a couple of beers to alleviate the effects of the vodka. The next day was a joyous mix of immense disappointment at missing the gig, disbelief at myself for my utter stupidity, a mixture of rage and worry from my wife about my going AWOL, and the worst hangover of my life. The only saving grace was knowing what a tremendous story it would make.
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Late 70's me and mi mate were going to see Elvis Costello in Sheffield. Made arrangements to meet at the station to go - he nivver turned up so I didn't go either. Roll on 40 + years and he sez " do you fancy going to see Elvis Costello, he's on in Sheffield". After a few choice expletives and a reminder about the last time we were going to go I said Ok. > 100 × the original ticket price; apart from Pump it up, it was very meh.

Gally · Feb 8, 2023

MonkeyRed said: ↑

2. Paul Weller at Benicassim 2009. A helluva gale was blowing in and the PA stack was swaying. Everything got pulled and Kings of Leon had to turn their helicopter around (Lol). Modfather was fuming. "F- the pen pushers!" and all this. We were told to go back to our tents and duly had to spend the night braving through a 90 mph hurricane. Somehow our tent stayed rooted in the ground and we made it through safely and didn't get hit by one of the falling lampposts. Most of the campsite were evacuated to the local sports centre which looked like a refugee camp but our tiny, bright orange £25 Tescos tent saved our skins!
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I was there for that. There was also a fire on the Friday night, near by. We were staying in the Hotel Orange and the way back to it across the motorway bridge etc was closed off so we had to walk round as the police had closed it all off. I think Oasis were also playing and Liam was due to do a collab with Paul Weller and that got pulled. It wasn't the best Benicassim I went to. Was able to shelter in the Hotel at least during the hurricane

John Peachy · Feb 8, 2023

Merde Tete said: ↑

A couple of people started posting tales of their gig disasters in the Gary Glitter thread, but I think it's a bit of a waste them being buried in there, so I thought it best to start a separate one.

My concert record is generally pretty good apart from having tickets to 3 REM shows that got cancelled (out of a total of 8 they cancelled across their whole career).

My pinnacle was when I went to see New Young Pony Club at an outdoor event a few years ago, which was part of a wider summer music festival which took place in St Petersburg every summer. The venues change every year, and this was no exception. We made the mistake of arriving around 7, with NYPC due on stage at 9. But at this particular venue there was really absolutely nothing to do apart from drink the bar dry, which we duly did. The support act appeared around 8, and although they were a bit lame, I decided to stay at the front as I wanted a good view. Although there was very little need to do this, as there was hardly anyone there. This should have set the alarm bells ringing, but I just decided that even among the hipster crowd, not too many people in St Petersburg were into obscure art house bands from England.

The "support act" carried on playing until about 9.30, which I thought was odd, but just assumed that NYPC had decided to be fashionably late. By this time I was pretty hammered, as my mate (who has no interest in music whatsoever) had been shuttling to the bar and back keeping me supplied with vodka, as I jealousy guarded my place next to the stage. I spent the next 30 minutes or so shouting "come on ponies!" at an empty stage, much to the amusement of the few remaining people near me. Eventually at around 10, I started asking people if they knew anything about New Young Pony Club's whereabouts, and whether they were late or had even cancelled. Cue bemused looks, and several suggestions that maybe I should check out the main stage, located inside the massive white building near the main entrance, that I had somehow completely failed to notice. I stumbled in to find it absolutely packed and NYPC returning to the stage for their final encore, which consisted of a grand total of one song. I stayed until the end and then promptly vomited and then realised that I'd lost my wife and most of my mates and that my phone was out of battery. Managed to find vodka supply friend who took me back to sleep at his place, via an off-licence where we bought a couple of beers to alleviate the effects of the vodka. The next day was a joyous mix of immense disappointment at missing the gig, disbelief at myself for my utter stupidity, a mixture of rage and worry from my wife about my going AWOL, and the worst hangover of my life. The only saving grace was knowing what a tremendous story it would make.
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LOL, great story.

John Peachy · Feb 8, 2023

Barnsley Chopin said: ↑

3 from me:

Reading '96 - Stone Roses. So bad they made me vomit.
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I saw them at Sheffield Arena at this time & can concur. Had seen them in '89 at the Warehouse in Leeds, which was a great gig. No surprises they split shortly after...

MonkeyRed · Feb 8, 2023

Gally said: ↑

I was there for that. There was also a fire on the Friday night, near by. We were staying in the Hotel Orange and the way back to it across the motorway bridge etc was closed off so we had to walk round as the police had closed it all off. I think Oasis were also playing and Liam was due to do a collab with Paul Weller and that got pulled. It wasn't the best Benicassim I went to. Was able to shelter in the Hotel at least during the hurricane
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Gutted I missed a Weller/Liam duet. My 2009 self would've gone ape!

It would definitely be a hotel job if I went these days. 30° sun through the tent at 7am when you were still drinking 3 hours previously ain't the one.

ade · Feb 8, 2023

John Peachy said: ↑

I saw them at Sheffield Arena at this time & can concur. Had seen them in '89 at the Warehouse in Leeds, which was a great gig. No surprises they split shortly after...
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Saw them at the Blackpool gig in 89, absolutely brilliant.

Scoff · Feb 9, 2023

Merde Tete said: ↑

Could have been worse. My mate was in a similar situation at the Arctic Monkeys at Headingly. Luckily a kind bloke said he'd accidentally bought too many and my mate could have two pints for a fiver. I think you know what's coming next....

Oh dear. Did you ever manage to see them? I had tickets for the NEC in Birmingham, but Kurt Cobain somewhat inconsiderately shot himself a couple of months before.
Click to expand...

Saw them at Reading festival in 91 and 92, so a reasonable percentage of all their UK gigs.

Gig disasters

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