Tighter security has been blamed for delays experienced on Friday by concertgoers attending the three-day Longitude music festival in Marlay Park.
The promoters of the Dublin event apologised to attendees. Some had claimed they were crushed in surges at the entrance to the venue soon after gates opened at 1.30pm.
Melvin Benn, managing director of Festival Republic, tweeted yesterday that the “uncomfortable start” was “not what I wanted”.
Pictures posted to social media by concertgoers indicated crowding at the barriers, with delays of up to an hour. Some attendees claimed they were close to passing out at the entrance to the park. Others claimed there were “stampedes” as fans tried to get in.
Benn wrote: “We had encouraged people to arrive early and they heeded the encouragement to a greater level than anticipated, making that first hour difficult. I owe those caught up in it an apology.”
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Benn said his team worked throughout yesterday to avoid a repeat of Friday’s problems. Those attending Longitude, which attracts mostly teenagers and twenty-somethings, were advised not to bring any bags larger than
A4 size, and told that these would be searched. Fans were also patted down.
The sold-out event is expected to attract 120,000 people over three days.
Last night’s concert was headlined by the Weeknd with support from Skepta and Mac Miller. Mumford and Sons feature tonight.
@colincoyle