Fans lining up ahead of pop star Harry Styles’ concert in Perth, the first leg of his national tour, have described chaotic scenes outside the venue early Monday morning as hundreds of fans ignored a strict curfew set by the venue.
Last week WAtoday revealed Venueswest was prohibiting fans from camping overnight and enforced a strict 8am rule, warning those who disobeyed would be refused entry.
Fans have criticised the venue operator for its approach.
Hordes of fans had been planning to camp days before in the hopes of getting spot close to the stage.
Regular concertgoer Jasmine Whitehead booked an AirBnB across the road from HBF Park.
She said the scenes this morning outside the venue were the worst she had ever seen outside a concert, on a day forecast to hit 36 degrees.
“People started lining up around 4am and HBF Park security said there was nothing they could do about it because technically they weren’t on their property,” she said.
Harry Styles fans were lining up around 4am ahead of his first Australian concert in Perth.Credit:Brittany Hoskins
“They told fans to call police but the police said unless there is fighting there is nothing they can do.”
Whitehead said at 7.45am, the venue told those lining up to go to another gate, sparking a stampede.
“People were running, yelling, screaming, crying, people were having panic attacks, getting squashed, falling over,” she said.
“I’ve been to 30 concerts and I’ve never seen anything like it in my life, it was total pandemonium.”
Whitehead said fans were unhappy with the venue and many planned to make a formal complaint.
After VenuesWest banned fan-devised “early line” systems, Live Nation sent a message on Sunday night to early VIP ticket holders that they would be issued with numbered wristbands so they could leave the queue.
In a message to VIP ticketholders Live Nation said due to the extreme heat they would begin wristbanding VIP early entry patrons from 9am.
“This is to enable you to leave the queue and seek shade, water and food.
“Please note this wristband will be considered as your placeholder in the queue.
“We will require you to return to Gate 6 no later than 3pm and be in numbered order in preparation for your early entry.”
Fans reported people were fainting while lining up to purchase merchandise at HBF Park on Sunday, as the mercury hit 35 degrees.
The Grammy award-winning artist will start the Australian leg of his Love On Tour show at HBF Park on February 20 before he heads east and then to New Zealand.
VenuesWest was approached for comment.
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