Long queues meant thousands of people were delayed getting into Bruce Springsteen’s concert in Croke Park last night.
On Lunchtime Live today, Kieran from Clare said the organisation of the gig was “shambolic” and after he was stuck in a queue for almost two and a half hours.
It was the last in a run of four gigs from ‘The Boss’ in Ireland, which included dates in Belfast, Kilkenny and Cork.
The sell-out Croke Park concert was supposed to begin at 7pm but was delayed for around 15 minutes to allow for people waiting outside to get in.
Kieran said the problem was most acute on the Clonliffe Road.
“We entered the Clonliffe Road just two minutes after 5pm,” he said.
“If it was your standard concert or an All-Ireland final with a similar capacity, we would have been in our seats comfortably before 5.45pm.
“But it ended up being 7.25pm because of shambolic organisation.”
Bruce Springsteen on stage in Croke Park yesterday. Image: Sasko Lazarov / © RollingNews.ieKieran said lots of people missed the first few songs.
“We had been told the concert would start at 7pm, that had been well advertised and it started later as a nod, possibly, to so many people still not being there,” he said.
“We were in the stadium by the third or fourth song but for other people, it was the seventh or eighth song.
“You’d be aware of other concerts and events in Croke Park because of people leaving pubs late, etc, but there was none of that here.”
'Chaotic' queues at Springsteen gig
Kieran said there was “no communication” from stewards about why delays were happening.
“I’m a regular goer to Croke Park for GAA games and I’ve never seen it so chaotic," he said.
“Thankfully Bruce was so good and it was a three-hour set so we only missed 10% or 15% of it.
“If it was your standard top act that only plays for two hours you would have felt completely cheated.”
Concertgoers in Croke Park yesterday. Image: Sasko Lazarov / © RollingNews.ieGolf broadcaster Shane O’Donoghue said he was “very lucky” to have gained entry on time for what was a “really enjoyable concert”.
“We gained entrance and had lovely seats, but it was clear lots of people were still trying to get in,” he said.
“I had not seen anything like this before having been to different GAA matches and other things in Croke Park – there was something wrong.”
'Outrageous' alcohol prices
Mr O’Donoghue also said alcohol was overpriced at the gig.
“When we arrived my wife went to get us a drink, I was having a larger, and when she got back she said, ‘You’re not going to believe this’ – my pint had cost €24,” he said.
“She had to buy two bottles at €8 each to fill up the glass and, when they didn’t fill it, she had to get a third to top it up.
“When you talk about sports events, which I have attended all over the world, these prices are outrageous - I thought it was over the top.”
Some 80,000 people attended the Bruce Springsteen concert in Croke Park last night.
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Main image: Croke Park in Co Dublin. Image: Stephen Power / Alamy Stock Photo
