Chaos at Essex Duran Duran concert as ticket holders stuck in queues
VIP ticket holders, who paid hundreds of pounds for premium access, were still queuing to enter the venue at 2.30pm despite gates being scheduled to open at 2pm. The delays created significant bottlenecks at security checkpoints and ticket verification points, causing knock-on effects for general admission ticket holders due to enter at 3pm.
One frustrated VIP ticket holder described the situation as "an utter shambles," telling reporters: "We bought these tickets to beat the chaos and now we're in the middle of this."
The entry problems come just 24 hours after traffic gridlock around the racecourse left some Justin Timberlake fans missing the start of Friday night's concert. The traffic chaos prompted Essex Police to implement emergency measures including rolling roadblocks on the A131.
The admission delays highlight ongoing logistical challenges at the venue, which is hosting back-to-back major concerts as part of the Chelmsford City Live series. Tonight's event features support from Nile Rodgers and Chic alongside headliners Duran Duran.
Long queues of ticket holders were seen snaking around the racecourse perimeter as security staff struggled to process the volume of people arriving for the popular 1980s band's performance.
The delays particularly affected those who had paid premium prices for VIP packages, which typically promise expedited entry and exclusive facilities. Many expressed frustration at being caught up in the same queues as general admission ticket holders.
Event organisers have not yet responded to requests for comment about the admission problems or what measures are being taken to prevent similar issues at future events.
The problems cap a difficult weekend for the venue, which has faced criticism over its handling of large-scale events. Friday's Justin Timberlake concert saw some fans reporting waits of several hours to exit the car parks, with police forced to intervene to manage traffic flow.
Essex Police confirmed they will continue to maintain their presence around the racecourse this weekend to support traffic management and public safety operations.
The venue regularly hosts major music events as part of its summer concert series, attracting thousands of visitors to the Essex location.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
13 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Wrexham smashes its transfer record by signing Broadhead in a deal worth up to $13.5M
Wrexham's spending moved into a new stratosphere Thursday when the team owned by Hollywood celebrities signed winger Nathan Broadhead from Ipswich in a club-record deal that could reportedly reach 10 million pounds ($13.50 million). It took the Welsh club's outlay in the transfer market to more than 20 million pounds ($27 million) in this window as Wrexham reshapes its squad for life in the second-tier Championship following an unprecedented three straight promotions. The 27-year-old Wales international is a former Wrexham academy player and a versatile forward who was a fringe player at Ipswich in the Premier League last season. 'He's a local boy who had a real desire to come and play for his hometown club," Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson said in the team's announcement. Among Wrexham's other signings over the last couple of months is former England defender Conor Coady and New Zealand international Liberato Cacace. Lewis O'Brien also joined from Nottingham Forest for what was reportedly a club-record fee of around 3 million pounds ($4 million). Wrexham, which started its Championship campaign last weekend with a 2-1 loss at Southampton after conceding two late goals, is owned by actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney and has gained outside investment via the New York-based Allyn family. It is also the subject of the Emmy-winning 'Welcome to Wrexham' documentary, which takes viewers behind the scenes at the club and has boosted the team's global appeal primarily because of the presence of Reynolds. ___ AP soccer:
Associated Press
16 minutes ago
- Associated Press
Wrexham smashes its transfer record by signing Broadhead in a deal worth up to $13.5M
Wrexham's spending moved into a new stratosphere Thursday when the team owned by Hollywood celebrities signed winger Nathan Broadhead from Ipswich in a club-record deal that could reportedly reach 10 million pounds ($13.50 million). It took the Welsh club's outlay in the transfer market to more than 20 million pounds ($27 million) in this window as Wrexham reshapes its squad for life in the second-tier Championship following an unprecedented three straight promotions. The 27-year-old Wales international is a former Wrexham academy player and a versatile forward who was a fringe player at Ipswich in the Premier League last season. 'He's a local boy who had a real desire to come and play for his hometown club,' Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson said in the team's announcement. Among Wrexham's other signings over the last couple of months is former England defender Conor Coady and New Zealand international Liberato Cacace. Lewis O'Brien also joined from Nottingham Forest for what was reportedly a club-record fee of around 3 million pounds ($4 million). Wrexham, which started its Championship campaign last weekend with a 2-1 loss at Southampton after conceding two late goals, is owned by actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney and has gained outside investment via the New York-based Allyn family. It is also the subject of the Emmy-winning 'Welcome to Wrexham' documentary, which takes viewers behind the scenes at the club and has boosted the team's global appeal primarily because of the presence of Reynolds. ___ AP soccer:
Yahoo
43 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Narinder Kaur criticises BBC's decision to have Thomas Skinner on Strictly
TV star Narinder Kaur has criticised the BBC's decision to cast former The Apprentice candidate Thomas Skinner as a celebrity contestant on Strictly Come Dancing after saying she was told she was 'too controversial' for the show herself. It comes after Skinner met US vice president JD Vance for a barbecue and drinks, with the 34-year-old – who befriended US President Donald Trump's number two on social media platform X – describing the event as 'once in a lifetime'. In the caption of a video posted to X, Jeremy Vine panellist and former Big Brother star Kaur, 52, said: 'Apparently I was deemed too controversial for @bbcstrictly because they only hire quiet brown and black women that fit in a box. 'But you can be a white man AND be controversial and you'll be hired on the spot! Hello Thomas Skinner!!' In a statement, she added: 'There's only so much you can say in a short video, but I felt something many others have been feeling all day and that was complete shock and utter bewilderment – to see Thomas be announced in the line-up, considering all the rhetoric about how people with right-wing opinions are cancelled and not allowed on the BBC. 'I've debated Tom on Good Morning Britain before, I supported his book release at his launch party, there is a huge disparity in what certain demographics of people are allowed to say and still get one show after another. 'I met the Strictly team at the TV Choice Awards earlier this year and got talking to one of the bookers about the show generally – and she said 'You're a bit too controversial and we can't have that for the show.'' Social media personality Skinner has been announced as one of the latest celebrities to be taking part in the upcoming series of BBC One show Strictly. He recently claimed he had received 'death threats' and 'vile comments about my children', following a series of social media posts claiming 'something's gone wrong' in the UK, and saying 'there is nothing wrong with being proud of where you're from'. In other posts, which drew criticism from some of his followers, Skinner said it is 'not far-right' to be 'flying your flag and loving your country', and he complained 'it ain't safe out there anymore' in London, saying the city is 'hostile' and 'tense'. Following the post complaining about alleged abuse, Mr Vance replied with a picture of a cartoon character typing on a keyboard and a message that read: 'Hang in there, my friend. Remember that 90 percent of people attacking your family look like this.' After the Strictly announcement, Skinner said in a social media post: 'They say don't read the comments on social media. But I couldn't help myself. I've had absolute pellets all day on my Instagram lost about going on Strictly… Why are some people so angry that don't even know me.' Among the other celebrity contestants confirmed for Strictly this year are former Geordie Shore star Vicky Pattison and Neighbours actor Stefan Dennis. They join the likes of podcast host and YouTube star George Clarke, RuPaul's Drag Race UK finalist La Voix, former England rugby player Chris Robshaw, and model and CBBC actress Ellie Goldstein, who is to become the first contestant with Down's syndrome to take part in Strictly's full series. The line-up is completed by Love Island winner Dani Dyer-Bowen, EastEnders actress Balvinder Sopal, Gladiators star Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, Doctor Who actress Alex Kingston, and former footballer Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink. Strictly, hosted by Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly, will return to BBC One and BBC iPlayer in September, with Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and Shirley Ballas as judges. The BBC has been approached for comment.
