There were a number of complaints about Ed Sheeran's concert at the Phoenix Park last night.
Fans took to social media to say the sound was terrible, they had no view of the stage, and that the venue was too packed.
People also criticised the general organisation of the gig, with reported confusion over whether or not fans had standing or seated tickets.
I've been to many concerts in Phoenix park but I've never been to one as poorly organised as Ed sheeran. 50% of the crowd couldn't fit inside the venue and inside there was a crowd crush. Worst concert I've ever been to. #edsheerandublin
— Emma Scanlon (@Emma5Scanlon) May 16, 2018
So if ur heading to @edsheeran in the Phoenix park don't have your heart set in actually seeing ed! This is as close as I got! Not worth the money or effort! pic.twitter.com/8dLNPe8hql
— Hazel Brown (@sparkyhaze) May 16, 2018
I really felt for the kids and parents. Whole thing was a shambles. I'm not sure how they're gonna fix all the problems for tomorrow and Saturday. Hard to believe the sound was so poor.
— JnnfrRpy (@jenniferreapy) May 17, 2018
Aiken Promotions has released a statement following the complaints, blaming the problems on concert goers arriving late.
Aiken said "approximately 5,000" people turned up late and did not move on to take a place in the designated standing area, but stood in the large gap between two banks of seats:
"This gap was not meant to be a viewing area, it was designed to facilitate movement between areas."
The company claimed as a result fans were unable to get into the viewing area:
"...likewise some people were unable to get back out to the toilets for a time. It took time and many stewards and gardaí to move them on in."
Regarding seating issues, Aiken said:
"We want to clarify that tickets with General Admission (GA) on them are tickets for the designated standing area. If you have a seated ticket it will clearly state on it a Block/Row and seat number."
The promoters said that additional measures have been put in place to prevent the same thing happening Saturday and Sunday night.
