Handstands in the dark while power failure silenced the Red Hot Chili Peppers in Hobart
UPDATED: They loved the band but Red Hot Chili Peppers fans have given organisers a serve after being told off for standing and clapping and long waits for drinks. SEE THE GALLERY
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UPDATE: RED Hot Chili Peppers fans are still raving about the performance of the Californian rock act but have given organisers a serve for being told off for standing and clapping, lengthy waits for drinks and safety concerns.
Mercury readers unloaded on social media saying the organisation at the Derwent Entertainment Centre was inadequate to cater for the crowds.
“We waited close to 2 hours in the line to get a drink. The poor staff were under the pump. People who wanted water were waiting the same. We missed the start of the concert. It was very poor on the organisation. People were jumping the lines I honestly don’t know how there weren’t more issues with all the angry patrons. Security did nothing just watched on. Glad the RHCP were fantastic,” Sarah Rayner wrote on the Mercury’s Facebook page.
“They ran out of water for purchase after lining up for ever to buy some. Dehydration to the max!” Belinda Bond wrote.
RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS HEAT UP HOBART
Nadia Paternoster said she was told off by security guards for standing up clapping in the VIP seated section.
“Such an embarrassment. Who goes to a rock concert to sit down? I’ve been to many concerts around Aus and this only happens at the DEC. Perhaps the DEC isn’t the place for bands. It was a total mood killer.”
Rick Hancock agreed that organisation was poor.
“Paying $450 for a VIP ticket WHAT AN ABSOLUTE DISGRACE. Had to push our way through the GA standing area to get to the VIP bar line only to find the DEC management decided to open it up for everyone waited 45 minutes to get a drink.”
Other frustrated fans who attended phoned the Mercury on Monday to give their account of the night.
Hobart resident Jason Muir, who purchased a VIP ticket, said he and his partner endured “absolute mayhem” at the gig.
“When we got there we couldn’t see any VIP section. We found a small space for it, side of stage, in these two little pens and when the gig was up and running we were just crushed in there,” he said.
“When you needed to leave the area for a toilet break you could barely get back in because all the general admission guests were blocking the path. Then it seemed all GA patrons were in that section anyway.
“It was just really disappointing and seemed very unorganised. We’re now wondering why we paid the extra $260 for a VIP ticket when it was of little to no benefit.”
The Derwent Entertainment Centre management was not available for comment when contacted by the Mercury.
EARLIER: THE Red Hot Chili Peppers have shown how they earned their reputation as one of the world’s best-loved bands, handling technical difficulties at the DEC like true professionals.
After opening their sold-out Hobart show with their 2002 hit Can’t Stop, their performance was marred by an apparent power outage.
The band’s legendary bass player Flea performed handstands to entertain the crowd, while lead singer Anthony Kiedis climbed over the amps and spoke one-on-one to fans, asking people in the front to relay the message that the microphones were not working.
The band was off stage for around 15 minutes before resuming their performance.
The Red Hot Chili Peppers’ show at the Derwent Entertainment Centre was the first night of their Australian tour.
The Californian band fuse a blend of rock, funk and hip hop, and are among the biggest bands to play Hobart.
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