Alnwick Castle Alnwick reviews by real event-goers

Review of Tom Jones Live in Concert

It was the most appalling concert I have ever attended. First picnics allowed. Then the fact that some people were practical strip searched while others got fed up with standing in ques so climbed the fence.having to stand for 20 mins to get food. The stupid way the area was set out. Unable to get a good view because of the way people were crammed in. Usually everyone spreads out for picnic time then closes in when music starts. Not possible on Saturday. Then the idiot who announced power off because of local power cut. We may live in county but we aren't stupid. Show then just stopped. No lights or stewards to help people back to car park. People tripping over on uneven ground. I know it was a field but some form of lighting was necessary. It was just a disaster from start to finish. I will never attend anything organised by Loose Cannon or buy tickets through you again. Chances of getting refund nil.

Review of Tom Jones Live in Concert

Whilst, Sir Tom was completely fantastic, the supporting acts shunning, the event was shambolic. Loose cannon who were organising the event should be ashamed. Its a pity, that as this will most likely be the last time Tom Jones will perform live in the North East that the image of a legendary man has be ruined by Loose Cannon.

Review of Tom Jones Live in Concert

The organisation of the event was poor. The bar queues were ridiculous, as were the food queues. The thing that was in the middle was also awful as if you were behind it you wouldnt see a thing, and there were no big screens so that people behind would have been able to see. Although when Tom Jones was on singing he was fantastic. It was the general organisation of the whole event then for the power to blow out numerous times ruined the night. I defiantly think there should be some kind of compensation after the price everyone has paid. Also after having to travel about 30miles to get there.

Review of Tom Jones Live in Concert

Tom Jones was incredible once they managed to get him on the stage 1 hour late because of power failures. Then half way through his performance the power failed again. Tom walked off then some spokesperson came on to say the concert had been abandoned and Tom Jones had left the venue. A poor show all round. Not withstanding that for the first time since Alnwick castle have been hosting these types of concerts they prohibited any food and drink to be taken in, it all had to be purchased from the Concessions, the bar run out of beer at 9pm, security staff were hassling people saying they could not sit on their own chairs. Last concert I go to organised by Skiddle and loose canon

Review of Tom Jones Live in Concert

Absolute shambles! Dangerously poor management by Loose Canon. Power failures followed by lies from loose canon. Late start and early finish by Tom Jones. Price wise it worked out that I paid £1 per minute to hear TJ singing. Never again.

Review of Tom Jones Live in Concert

Tom Jones voice was fabulous when you could hear it but this concert was very disappointing. Have attended similar events at this venue for years and this was the most poorly organised and nothing like the great occasion it should have been.Parking issues, including seeing disabled guests struggling because of distance from site,no food or drink allowed but not enough provision on site meant long queues for food and drink of up to an hour and bar had run out of stock early in evening. The viewing area was too narrow and many people could not see stage also sound quality poor at back. This meant concert goers already aggrieved so that when technical difficulties meant that the power failed 3 times and concert was abandoned everyone was left disappointed and disgruntled. Some things cannot be planned for but much of what was wrong with this event was avoidable ... shame the Castle didn't organise it themselves like other years.

Review of Tom Jones Live in Concert

What an absolute shambles! No food/drink to be taken was a poor start but we were prepared to make the best of it. 'Arena' space was limited due to the positioning of the refreshment vans which flanked the crowd and created a funnelling of the audience, resulting in a poor view for most. We were packed into the space like sardines and movement around the area was limited to say the least, as it turned dark it became impossible. Then there was the blackout. Twice before Sir Tom had even made an appearance then again after 50 minutes. I shall not be buying tickets from Skiddle again and will avoid Loose Cannons for life - well named!!! A refund of £180 is the least Skiddle can do. Sadly my family and I will never retrieve the time spent on the wasted evening.

Review of Tom Jones Live in Concert

A very disappointing event. From being frisked as we arrived for contraband food and water to the poorly orgainised standing /seating area. Also the inadequate retail food outlets and bars which made people queue for lengthy periods and traipse from side to side of the site through the crowd. All this was bad enough but the atmosphere generally was poor as there were long gaps between the warm up acts and even longer before Tom Jones appeared. Worst of all was the moment he started singing the fuse blew on stage and all was plunged into darkness. This took some time to resolve so he made a very belated start. He was in fine voice and the evening really began to get going but less than one hour later the fuse blew again and all was once more plunged into darkness. This then was the end of the concert , a damp squid ,no farewell finale, no fireworks, just thousands of people tramping off through dark fields back to their cars or homes.

Review of Tom Jones Live in Concert

Poor organisation. Extortionate prices & poor technology! Never again!

Review of Tom Jones Live in Concert

Shockingly bad concert management. The changes in venue management in the pastures were atrocious. I queued for 55 minutes to buy a drink. I started to queue at 7pm when the majority of the crowd were forming - one poor girl on the bar trying her best. When returned to the bar later during Sir Toms set 2 bar staff (badly timed breaks there boys) one of whom didn't recognise a Scottish fiver (really?! in North Northumberland?!) No screens and wrong sized speakers in their space so clearly technical issues had been identified before the start of the day. The catering vans disturbed the travel of the sound so up the back you couldn't hear. The only positive was that we found our abandoned chairs had not been nicked on our return (good old Alnwick thanks) As for the delays and power failure, if the company were aware that this was a risk, as I am sure they were, they should have rescheduled. Having paid £180 for 4 tickets, and then not being able to take in food and drink as usual (meaning we stayed at home for tea and turned up later in the evening) and that the promised act was not provided a refund or reticket should be provided. Blaming a local power cut (power supplied by management not the grid: hence in their control) was clearly a hint at force majeure. I don't think this is responsible in any way. Going to try to get a refund. Wish me luck.

Review of Tom Jones Live in Concert

Total shambles from start to finish! 45 mins to get in - ended up at the back of a ridiculously set out viewing area (couldn't see a thing) queued again for 30 mins waiting for a drink! Queued again for 40 mins waiting for food! Didn't even know what I was going to get to eat as they had run out of most things by 7.30! Health and safety was non existent / felt like a cow going to slaughter except they are treated better!! Then only heard one warm up band - I say heard that is a term I use loosely as the sound where I was sitting was so poor we couldn't hear any announcements! When sir Tom eventually appeared the electrics went! 40 mins later we eventually strained our ears to hear him - by this time we had to leave after 4 songs as we had arranged transport for 10pm as most other events we have attended at the castle are just about over by then! We could not believe that the electrics went again about 10 mins after we headed out ! All who attended should receive a refund as this is the worst event I have ever attended and yet the most expensive!!

Review of Tom Jones Live in Concert

Absolute rip off and only half a show. Not enough room for all people attending, had to wait 40 mins for drunk wouldn't even attempt to get food. Very apparent the sole purpose was to make as much money as possible with no regard for the people paying big bucks!!

Review of Tom Jones Live in Concert

I am also writing this on Sir Tom's Facebook page in the hope that the man himself or his management will read it and understand fully just how badly Loose Cannon Events let him down last night at Alnwick Castle. My wife and I took my 84 year old Mother in law who is a lifelong fan. She was actually devastated that she did not get to hear "What's New Pussycat. " there were two generator failures causing all power to the stage to fail. This meant that Sir Tom's set not only started 40 minutes late, it was cut short after less than an hour and he left the arena leaving hundreds of fans extremely disappointed.
It was not only the obviously inadequate electricity supply provided, but also the cynical manner in which every corner was cut in order to maximise their profit with complete disregard for the fee paying customers.
We were not allowed to bring food or drink into the arena. This was without question in order to force us into paying exorbitant prices for the food which was on offer when we got in there. The bars were no better with inexperienced staff taking over one hour to serve people waiting. They ran out of basic drinks such as white wine and tonic water.
The security staff were a complete joke. An A3 poster told people that chairs and blankets could not be placed ahead of that particular point. People who arrived at 2 o'clock in the afternoon obeyed this request but when people arriving at 7pm erected chairs in front of the ones who were there first the security staff simply stood by and watched. It is little wonder that arguments and bad temper ensued. The Security manager came and invited us to fill in a "Daily Occurrence Form"- people around me were queueing for their turn to contribute.
This begs another question, given that many of Sir Tom's fans are obviously going to be of a certain age, why was there no seating provided ? it is perfectly normal at many outdoor events - Oh wait - it costs money, less profit, silly me.
While it has to be said that Sir Tom was on top form, The technical problems which were almost certainly avoidable, only added to the disaster that this event became.
Sir Tom and his fans deserve better than this.

Review of Tom Jones Live in Concert

Long unlit rough walk into and out of venue. Power failure. Inadequate passageways through the arena area. No big screen. No real organisation of seating / standing areas. No wheelchair areas.
Left early for safety sake as well as second power failure.
Organisation very amateurish.

Review of Tom Jones Live in Concert

Total sham Tom Jones was late comming on, 2 power cuts so he left the venue before 10pm very disapointed waist of money, hope to get a refund as i work hard for my money . Suport band not up to much either.

Review of Tom Jones Live in Concert

Chaotic, shambolic and very poorly marshalled. No emergency lighting--I could go on and on. What we saw of Tom Jones was excellent but we would never attend another event organised by loose cannons again. I have been to a few concerts in the past at Alnwick castle and they have all been excellent.

Review of Tom Jones Live in Concert

Chaotic, shambolic and very poorly marshalled. No emergency lighting--I could go on and on. What we saw of Tom Jones was excellent but we would never attend another event organised by loose cannons again. I have been to a few concerts in the past at Alnwick castle and they have all been excellent.

Review of Tom Jones Live in Concert

What a disaster! We travelled over 50miles to this event only to be disappointed by poor organisation. Tom Jones was excellent - what little we saw of him! I agree with all the previous comments - a refund is definitely in order. I wonder if the HSE are aware of the total lack of lack of safety for people leaving the event in total darkness?

Review of Tom Jones Live in Concert

Rubbish

Review of Tom Jones Live in Concert

Where to start ? A total shambles and I feel very sorry for both Tom Jones (who for the short time he was on was great) and Alnwick Castle because its reputation will have suffered from the fiasco. The announcement that "there was a failure of the local power supply" seemed to be an attempt to blame the electricity network when it was obviously a fault of the organisers generator. Why was there no backup ? The sound/lighting console tower restricted views which was made worse by the cramped in food concessions stands. Their generators could be heard over the music. Having banned picnics the organisers then didn't provide enough food outlets so waits of 35 - 40 minutes were normal to get expensives rubbish. There appeared to have been no risk assessments as, when the generator tripped out for the 2nd time there was no emergency lighting and crowds were walking out amongst cars. The car park was too small and the traffic scheme was a mess because of the closed Northbound A1 sliproad not being thought about. I certainly won't be going to any event organised by Loose Cannon again. You will no doubt quote "terms and conditions" to try to get out of paying compensation but I think you are on dodgy ground - I expect some refund. This was total incompetence.