ORGANISERS of this year’s inaugural Knowsley Hall Music Festival last night apologised to fans hit by lengthy queues and quagmire-like conditions, saying: “We will learn the lessons for next year.”
Around 50,000 music fans made their way to Lord Derby’s estate this weekend for a festival organised by Cream and promoters Loud Sound.
While the music proved memorable – particularly an astonishing set from The Who amid torrential rain on Saturday, which the band themselves called “one of our best ever” – many festival-goers were left frustrated.
Crowds endured two-hour waits for beer, while long toilet queues led many to simply use the nearby fence.
Huge rainstorms on both days left many cars stuck, causing long delays as tractors pulled them free. By yesterday, conditions had become particularly bad.
Musician Dave Harrison, 38, from Allerton, and electronics engineer Gary Lock were left furious.
“We were disgusted by the prices and the conditions,” said Mr Harrison. “There were only two beer tents and people were queuing for over an hour and a half to get tiny bottles of Stella that had been marked up to a staggering amount.
“Gary’s a hardened festival goer and he’d never seen anything like it. Once The Who finished it was complete chaos.
“There was no-one telling anyone where to go in the pitch black, or how to get back to the car park.
“When we finally got there it was a complete swamp. Cars were so deep in mud you knew they had no chance of getting out. It took us three hours and we were lucky.”
Hannah Miller, 36, from Allerton, went to Knowsley with her husband and three children, aged between four and 10.
She said: “We were appalled they confiscated our children’s snacks as we went in, not least because it took hours to get any food for them.
“It seemed very badly- organised and like many people, we decided we would not be coming back for the second day.”
Cream spokeswoman Gill Nightingale acknowledged the problems, but urged music-lovers to stick with the festival next year when a camping element should be added.
“We certainly apologise for the teething problems. We were taken by surprise by what a beer-drinking crowd it was and we drafted in extra bar staff on Sunday and opened more bars. It was the first day of the first festival and we will learn the lessons for next year. The prices were exactly the same as other festivals. With 30,000 people all trying to leave at one time, delays will happen and some cars could not move, which had a knock-on effect.
“When The Who came on, the torrential rain almost made the set as everyone just enjoyed themselves. The band told us it was one of their best-ever shows.
“Lord Derby was backstage and he spoke of what an important event it was for Liverpool, so we’ll definitely be back next year. Tickets go on sale on Monday and we’ve already been speaking to agents about acts.”
Cream founder James Barton added: “Overall we’re really pleased with how things have gone over the weekend, even though it was at times challenging.
“But to see 30,000 fans singing and dancing in the rain to The Who made it all worthwhile.”
The inimitable Pete Wylie, who played the main stage and the hospitality tent, said he was delighted with the venue.
“You don’t get many better dressing rooms than Knowsley Hall. Liverpool has been crying out for this type of event. We’re meant to be the capital of music. It’s not about hoping, this must become an annual event.”
* A 26-YEAR-OLD man died after collapsing at the festival on Saturday night. The man, from Blackpool, became ill around 9pm. Attempts were made to resuscitate him but he was later pronounced dead at Whiston hospital. Police are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.
* CHECK out our picture gallery from the event - click here
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