Stages blocked, exits crowded: Fans slam ‘disappointing’ festival at new Gold Coast venue

Hundreds of PinkPantheress fans were barred from seeing the star perform at Laneway Gold Coast over the weekend, with security citing capacity issues as they blocked the entrance to the stage.

The complaint was one of many that surfaced on social media after the event, which was moved from Brisbane’s RNA Showgrounds to Southport Sharks as the original site closed for construction for the 2032 Olympics.

Brisbane-based audiologist and musician Ben Burrows was among those stopped from seeing the British singer, one of his main drawcards for purchasing a ticket to this year’s event.

Like others, he left the stage where New York band Geese had finished playing to watch PinkPantheress – knowing he would not get a good spot, as she had already started performing, but not expecting to be stopped outside the stage.

“There were probably about 200 people just waiting at the entrance of that stage for PinkPantheress, missing virtually her entire set except for the last two songs, [when] they … randomly just let everyone in,” he told this masthead.

“It didn’t seem like [security] were tracking attendance at all, it seemed like it was based purely on vibes.”

Burrows said the lack of communication from event organisers and security led to disappointment. And more problems arose when it came time to leave.

“It was a little bit not ideal to essentially have … one exit,” he said.

“Everyone, including those using wheelchairs or mobility aids [was] going up this exit that, at times, had quite a gravely road … and could be a bit hilly as well.

“That didn’t feel super safe to me, so that was a bit of a concern.”

Burrows’ concerns were mirrored by others posting to social media, with wheelchair users criticising difficult gravel pathways and hills and the lack of accessible viewing platforms, toilets, and exits.

A Laneway Festival spokesperson told this masthead access to the stage was temporarily paused “due to high crowd flow through entry pathways and significant density at front of stage”.

This decision aligned with standard festival safety protocols and patrons were redirected to an alternative area.

“Our team was actively monitoring crowd density and movement both on the ground and via crowd-monitoring systems, and at no point did conditions reach unsafe levels.”

“We understand how disappointing this would have been for fans and apologise for the frustration caused.”

In response to claims the event was inaccessible, the spokesperson confirmed some attendees with accessible needs were given incorrect exit information and they were following up with them directly.

“Accessible viewing platforms were provided at the Gold Coast event, and accessible exits remained available at the end of the night. We’re reviewing feedback from patrons who have contacted us directly to identify where improvements can be made for future events.”

Burrows said the venue was a bad choice, with inaccessible grounds and without enough shade.

“The venue just didn’t feel great, especially compared to RNA Showgrounds,” he said. “I’m sceptical of the future of the festival at Southport Sharks.”

Burrows said he had attended almost every Laneway Festival since 2016 and previously thought of it as the best festival on offer, but was not sure that he would return.

“I’d have to see the lineup, and I’d have to set expectations in place that I’m not going to see all the people I want to see,” he said.

“It was strange. I know it’s a new venue, but it still felt poorly organised in a way that should have been slightly better anticipated.”

A Southport Sharks spokesperson told this masthead despite there being teething issues and some hiccups, the overall feedback they had received was positive.

The venue planned to host more music festivals in the future as it moved to become more of a community and events precinct, rather than just a sporting ground.

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