‘Poor organisation for such a worthy cause!’ Fire Fight Australia fans complain about long lines at bushfire relief concert as patrons miss opening acts due to delayed gate entry
Bushfire relief concert Fire Fight Australia sold out within 24 hours.
But many of the 70,000+ ticket holders who arrived at Sydney’s ANZ Stadium on Sunday, were left frustrated by the lack of organisation by the event’s management.
Fans claimed they were delayed entry to the venue, and missed the first few acts due to long lines.
And it begins! The bushfire relief concert, Fire Fight Australia, sold out within 24 hours. Pictured host and comedian Celeste Barber
‘Poor organisation for such a worthy cause!’ Fire Fight Australia patrons complain about long lines at bushfire relief concert as ticket holders miss opening acts due to delayed gate entry at Sydney’s ANZ Stadium on Sunday
Fire Fight Australia airs live on Channel 7 and 7plus, and FOX8 and Foxtel GO from 1pm AEDT on Sunday 16 February.
More than 20 local and international acts, including headliners Michael Bublé, 5 Seconds Of Summer (5SOS) and Queen with Adam Lambert, are on the lineup.
With thousands of fans queuing to enter the stadium around lunch time, frustrated ticket-holders took to Twitter to express their dissatisfaction with long wait times.
‘People aren’t very happy they are missing the concert due to these lines’, ‘Made it. Missed the first couple songs’, and ‘we got here well before gates opened and will miss multiple acts’ were some Tweets.
Another simply wrote: ‘Not sure how ANZ Stadium expected to get 70K in to a 1pm start by opening the gates at 12.45pm.’
‘People aren’t very happy they are missing the concert due to these lines’: With thousands of fans queuing to enter the stadium around lunch time, frustrated ticket-holders took to Twitter to express their dissatisfaction with long wait times
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Fire Fight Australia, promoters TEG Live and Sydney’s ANZ Stadium for comment.
The official Twitter account for Fire Fight Australia shared a post at 12.20pm, writing: ‘Gates are just about to open for. We’ll see you soon!’
Fire Fight Australia Tweeted back at one fan about the delay, writing: ‘We’re just having to hold while production finishes sound checks. Shouldn’t be much longer.’
Opening the show! Comedian Celeste Barber opened the show in Sydney from 12.40pm when the seats were noticeably empty
Cause of the delay: It appears the delay in entry times was due to sound checks being finalised for the venue
The crowds soon filed in! Olivia Newton-John, Alice Cooper, Queen + Adam Lambert and k.d. lang have all donated their time to appear at the event (Pictured at 2.20pm)
Olivia Newton-John, Alice Cooper, Queen + Adam Lambert and k.d. lang have all donated their time to appear at the event.
Joining the incredible musical bill for the concert series will be Australia’s own pop/rock sensation 5 Seconds of Summer – who are usually based in the US.
While based in the US, the group will fly back to perform in their hometown to support the bushfire crisis fundraising efforts.
Michael Bublé will appear via a special live cross performance simulcast from his sold out Melbourne show at Rod Laver Arena at 8.45pm.
The concert is due to end at 11pm.
Donate to firefightaustralia.com with 100 per cent of the funds going to the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal’s(FRRR) Fire Fight Fund.
Or text FIREFIGHT to 0400 662 662
Tune in: Fire Fight Australia airs live on Channel 7 and 7plus, and FOX8 and Foxtel GO from 1pm AEDT on Sunday 16 February