Gutted we are not now going to see Robbie Williams

Hermia46

Hmmm you may not regret missing RW. It has been sheeting it down with rain since 2.30 pm...I live just 2 miles from Sandringham.... umbrella anyone!

We are about 15miles away and I have been thinking of the poor people in that field!
I did hope that Sandringham had missed it but obviously not. It is fine now though.
They won’t allow umbrellas.🥴

I've been to four live gigs this summer, all but one was seated. At the standing one (Eden Project, The Who, July) at least we had some railings to lean on (and it remained dry), but we both remarked it was unlikely we would go to anything at that venue again. Its a shame because we have been to many gigs over the last decade or so at the Eden Project because we now live within an hours drive.
It is such an amazing venue with ticket prices allowing entry the day of or day after to wander around. This year there were 'VIP' areas for an extra cost which provided seating and drinks. I think it would have to be a very special act indeed to entice us back and spend the extra.
The best seating arrangement was at the Principality Stadium in Wales where I saw Coldplay in June. The tickets entitled us to the flexibility of pitch standing and/or any seat in a lowest tier designated 'block'. It meant that a lot of the seating around us was empty and once everything had got underway we could move seats for a better view (I'm vertically challenged, so always a priority for me). My friend who purchased the tickets said they were the cheapest on offer!
As for food and drink, we don't bother with that at any venue. Besides my vintage bladder would mean me spending most of the time in the loos!!

DD and I went to see Bruce Springsteen and it was the same. We were very uncomfortable sitting on the grass but found if we sat back to back it was ok! We stood for the concert itself and a very nice man helped me stand up. Next time we will definitely investigate paying more for seating or go to a stadium to see him.

Probably not too many people needing it and willing to pay so much extra.

Germanshepherdsmum

Yes I know. I was just telling BL that there was provision for people needing to sit and be near the loo.

Ok. I don’t think it’s that big an area actually. When we went to see Quo we were surprised how small the VIP area was there.

Yes I know. I was just telling BL that there was provision for people needing to sit and be near the loo.

Germanshepherdsmum

There is an area where seats are provided and where you can use your own chair, with loos nearby, but you have to pay extra for that.

It’s an extra £150 to sit in the VIP area GSM on top of your £85 ticket.

There is an area where seats are provided and where you can use your own chair, with loos nearby, but you have to pay extra for that.

They are in breach of the Equality Act. You are not allowed to have a rule or regulation which makes it more difficult for a disabled person to comply. I would be posting something on farcebook and some of the other sites and asking them how they plan to make "reasonable adjustment".

He was here in Malta a few days ago playing to a sold out crowd of 20,000. I’m not a fan so didn’t go but apparently he put on a very good performance.

We go every year to the Glastonbury Extravaganza, which is usually first Saturday in August. This year it was Texas and Lightning Seeds.

Everyone brings camping chairs and it’s a fabulous evening. Though once the music starts most people are up and dancing!

Oh no!

No umbrellas allowed usually at these concerts, either.

Hmmm you may not regret missing RW. It has been sheeting it down with rain since 2.30 pm...I live just 2 miles from Sandringham.... umbrella anyone!

pascal30. Yes, a shooting stick would’ve been an option (we had a couple) had we known the folding chair wouldn’t be allowed in.

When we saw Simply Red - an evening concert at Chester-le-Street Riverside, we took a folding chair for DH who was midway through yet another course of chemo. It was obvious he was unwell, but he’d wanted to make it a family event. Despite his appearance, we had to hide the chair in a hedge, as they wouldn’t allow it inside the ground. Poor DH said he couldn’t manage the walk home, so we left him sitting on his chair outside the ground and I rushed home for my car and went back to collect him. The ground was huge and there would’ve been enough room for everyone there to have used a chair!

could you take one of those nifty walking sticks that opens up to a stool? I've seen them advertised on Instagram..

It's the idea of having to stand for ages that has stopped me going to any of these events now.
Such a shame, Primrose. I hope you have a lovely time in spite of this problem.

PamelaJ1

casdon looks good but I haven’t got one!
Primrose tell him ‘Thanks a bunch’ 😂 a hay bale is a wonderful thing for feeding to animals but, as you said, we won’t get one anyway.
I don’t really have a problem with sitting on a blanket it’s more the lack of being able to picnic. I know there will be food outlets but it’s not quite the same. I’m feeding my gang before we go.
We are going tomorrow so will report back.

My daughter and boyfriend went to an outdoor concert last weekend and small portion of cheesy chips were £7 each.

If they don’t allow you to take food in, they can charge what they like!

casdon looks good but I haven’t got one!
Primrose tell him ‘Thanks a bunch’ 😂 a hay bale is a wonderful thing for feeding to animals but, as you said, we won’t get one anyway.
I don’t really have a problem with sitting on a blanket it’s more the lack of being able to picnic. I know there will be food outlets but it’s not quite the same. I’m feeding my gang before we go.
We are going tomorrow so will report back.

When we went to a festival in Leeds we could take folding chairs, and quite a few of us older members of the audience flocked together with them in one area. A young woman came dancing over at one point, skidded to a halt and announced “Bloody hell, it’s like Homebase over here!”. Actually, with our woolly hats and the blankets over our knees it was kind of her not to say it was like an old folks’ home.

No chairs allowed when we went to see George Ezra recently, but there were at least some stone steps to sit on. Strictly speaking we weren’t allowed even to take cushions in but DH managed to sweet talk security into letting him in with his.

I’ve got a sit mat, which I’m sure would be allowed, it’s a lot more comfortable than sitting straight onto the floor because of the backrest, and it folds up. I take it to the beach but it would be great for concerts too. Like this, but mine is blue, it came from Mountain Warehouse years ago.

When we lived in Suffolk we used to go each summer to a small series of concerts held in Fram Castle. We always took folding chairs and some people took tables. They were hugely enjoyable events.

The organisers of todays' events are probably a few decades younger than most of us and it never occurs to them that the middle aged or older want to go to such concerts. Surely a person sprawling on a blanket is going to take more floor area than someone sitting on a folding chair.

I'm old enough to have been to concerts in small (by today's standards) venues (big names) and so couldn't bear to have to stand for several hours.

PamelaJ1

We are going but not looking forward to it.
I have been to quite a few concerts in Norfolk. Blickling has always been lovely, very relaxed, could take picnics and some even turned up with tables and picnics. It was quite a surprise when I got the details ( after we booked)
The Sandringham one has warned that it will take 2hours to get in and to leave. Gates to the venue open at 2, Robbie is on at nine. We aim to get there at six. I don’t think that the majority of his fans will be youngsters. Those of a sophisticated disposition like a bit of comfort.
The organisers have got too greedy.

PamelaJ1 hope you have a great time. I managed to get in contact with the man right at the top who manages all the Heritage Concerts as well as The Royal Variety Performance. He said there will be hay bales around the perimeter but what are the chances of getting one in a crowd of 25,000?

Tickets in the VIP area are an extra £150 for which you have comfy seats, separate toilets and drinks are brought to you but you still pay. £10 extra for car parking too.

At the Blickling concerts people used to carry wooden kitchen tables, candelabra, comfy chairs and hampers galore. Those days are long gone.

Please come back and tell me how it was.

We are going but not looking forward to it.
I have been to quite a few concerts in Norfolk. Blickling has always been lovely, very relaxed, could take picnics and some even turned up with tables and picnics. It was quite a surprise when I got the details ( after we booked)
The Sandringham one has warned that it will take 2hours to get in and to leave. Gates to the venue open at 2, Robbie is on at nine. We aim to get there at six. I don’t think that the majority of his fans will be youngsters. Those of a sophisticated disposition like a bit of comfort.
The organisers have got too greedy.

IClaudius

I would have thought so too merlotgran. Anyone with a disability, even pregnancy or advancing years and not being as nimble as they once were would struggle to get to their feet after 8 hours on a damp blanket.

I think less abled people can get places at the front with chairs. There are barriers in between to avoid a crush.

Not sure about anyone without a Blue badge.