Ed Sheeran took to the stage in Dublin’s Phoenix Park last night following a string of gigs across the Emerald Isle.
The Perfect singer’s Dublin gig was one of the most-talked-about concerts of the year, but a lot of people were left disappointed by major crowd control issues.
Despite Ed’s moving lyrics and stunning vocals, fans described the concert as one of the ‘worst gigs’ they had ever been too.
Prob the worst gig iv been to. A merch stand in the middle of the crowd blocking the hole stage. @edsheeran whyyyyy??? #edsheerandublin pic.twitter.com/rRwu825bgb
— Rozmonstaa (@Rozmonstaa) May 17, 2018
One concertgoer explained that the crowd was packed and extremely uncomfortable.
Many people took to Twitter to express their anger, “I've been to many concerts in Phoenix Park but I've never been to one as poorly organised as Ed Sheeran. 50 percent of the crowd couldn't fit inside the venue and inside there was a crowd crush. Worst concert I've ever been to.”
ONE entrance/exit to the toilets at #edsheerandublin last night. People crying trying to get out, pulling down side barriers and fights starting. The crowd control was shocking!
— Emma Coyne (@coyner25) May 17, 2018
One mum said she was gravely concerned for her son in the crowd, “For anyone going to the remaining Ed Sheeran gigs in the Phoenix Park have a serious rethink. Worst organised event ever. Serious issues in relation to crowd control. Genuinely thought my son was going to be crushed to death,” she admitted.
Another fan explained that even though the Thinking Out Loud singer sounded amazing, the poor organisation ruined the experience.
I completely understand where everyone is coming from with the crowd complaints at the Ed Sheeran Phoenix Park gig. I’ve never seen a worse crowd of ignorant and mostly drunk people. If you didn’t want a bottle neck situation, there should’ve been barriers set up to stop it.
— Shauna English † (@SeussGeisel) May 17, 2018
“I am sorry but Phoenix Park for a gig is the worst place. So disappointed after seeing Ed Sheeran there tonight, he sounded great but the standing was a disgrace!!! Basically wasted €86 to see nothing.”
Other fans complained of merchandise stands which blocked the view of the stage for a huge chunk of the crowd.
When this is the layout for #EdSheeranDublin in Phoenix Park and you get this.. absolutely ridiculous and they also added a merch stand directly in the middle of the crowd which blocked the stage completely, from start to finish I couldn’t see ed at all. pic.twitter.com/96rvIfLcco
— Karla Bennett (@KarlaBennett29) May 17, 2018
One fan said the merch stand was in the middle of the crowd “blocked the stage completely, from start to finish,” and they couldn’t see Ed perform at all.
Aiken Promotions have apologised for any inconvenience caused at last night’s gig, “The team are meeting this morning to review it and are putting additional measures in place to prevent it happening again."
Anyone making their way to #edsheerandublin in the Phoenix Park. Give yourself at least 2 hours to get to the actual venue. If possible check what side entrance you’re at and try get to the entrance closest. Took me an hour to get in from Heuston and I missed 3 songs!
— Aishling Nevin (@AishlingNevin) May 17, 2018
They have also asked people to double check their tickets as many people thought they had seated tickets when they had standing tickets.
“Gen 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," they stressed.
They have also asked concertgoers to give themselves plenty of time to get to the gig. Ed Sheeran will return to the Phoenix Park on Friday, May 18 and Saturday, May 19.
