Foo fighters’ fans were furious after they were turned away from a special London gig over a mass ticket mix-up.
Ticket-holders who could not show ID matching their booking were barred from the performance at the O2 in Greenwich, south London, last night.
Among the music-lovers left outside, were crying teenage girls and others who had travelled hundreds of miles to see Dave Grohl and his bandmates take to the stage.
Foo fighters’ fans were furious after they were turned away from a special London gig over a mass ticket mix-up
O2 staff said the decision was made at the ‘request of the band’ but fans claim they were given no prior warning that ID would be needed
O2 staff said the decision was made at the ‘request of the band’ but fans claim they were given no prior warning that ID would be needed.
Foo Fighters were in the capital for a one-off performance to promote their new album Concrete and Gold.
Tori Rosenbaum, 23, bought four tickets for their face value of £65 each.
Due to work commitments she could not attend the concert, but said her family were among those denied entry to the show.
She told the Evening Standard: ‘My brother is absolutely heartbroken.
‘They saw some 14-year-old girls getting turned away too and were left sitting on a bench sobbing their hearts out.
‘I totally understand the thing of stamping out touting, but this is punishing actual fans and is so easily avoidable by saying bring a copy of the ID or card that bought the tickets, or their confirmation, or anything. It’s a shambles.
‘It’s just not on, it’s not even the money that bothers me, it’s knowing that people are having their excitement crushed.’
Other fans took to Twitter to vent their frustration at being left out in the cold while their favourite band were playing.
One wrote: ‘My tickets were a gift and was told ABSOLUTELY NO WAY we could get in without buyer being there. Then they were just went ‘’go in’’ #foofighters’
Another fumed: ‘#Foofighters what about ppl [sic] that purchased tickets as presents? Like so many had. Can’t expect ticket buyer to attend. Something must be done.’
One fan said: ‘The ID thing – absolute shambles. Poor people who bought tickets online for hundreds from touts got turned away.’
Another said: ‘Gutted Foo Fighters. We weren’t allowed in to see you at the O2 because our tickets were unusable – my boyfriend’s birthday was ruined.’
One ranted: ‘Denied access with genuine tickets. Ruined my birthday and wasted our money travelling all the way to London. What a joke!’
Foo Fighters were in the capital for a one-off performance to promote their new album Concrete and Gold
Foo Fighters played to hundreds of adoring fans at O2 in south London last night
However, others praised Foo Fighters and the O2 and said the ID restriction was a good way to stop touts buying batches of tickets and selling them at inflated prices.
One said: ‘Good on the The O2 for demanding photo ID with tickets, it’s the only way to beat the touts. Hope more places start doing it.’
Another posted: ‘Gutted for those who missed #foofighters but our tickets said when we bought them that name must match ID! Who doesn’t carry ID?’
An O2 spokesman said that all fans were required to show proof of ID when attending the gig.
He said: ‘At the request of the band, all tickets are being verified for tonight’s show at The O2. All fans are required to show proof of ID. This does mean that some who have bought through secondary sites, including our partner Stubhub may not be able to see the show.
‘Ticket buyers should contact their original point of purchase if they encounter issues.’