A great number of Rolling Stones fans have taken online to voice their frustration at being refused entry due to the size of their bags at their London Stadium gig last night.
During the momentous evening, Liam Gallagher was support act – where he was joined by former Oasis guitarist Bonehead and dedicated ‘Live Forever’ to the people of Manchester. However, many fans missed his set due to the policy of not being allowed entry with a bag larger than a piece of A5 paper.
Taking to Twitter, a great number complained about the queues, being turned away, having to pay to store their bags, or simply abandoning their bags altogether.
FAN INFO // Reminder to all fans visiting London Stadium for @RollingStones tomorrow, please do not bring bags unless absolutely necessary.
More info: https://t.co/zh6O344rvU pic.twitter.com/DlCPkAe6rQ
— London Stadium (@LondonStadium) May 21, 2018
A statement on London Stadium’s website reads: “The Rolling Stones along with its touring partners and host venues strongly encourages fans to not bring any type of bags to our live performances. For ALL of the upcoming European performances, fans will be able to carry the following style and size bag, package, or container when approaching queue lines of fans awaiting entry into the venue.
“Small clutch bags, approximately A5 size (15cm by 21cm maximum), with or without a handle or strap will be allowed into host venues for Rolling Stones live performances. Exceptions will be made for medically necessary items after proper declaration and inspection.”
However, many fans were either unaware or simply quite unhappy with the policy:
Already missed @liamgallagher as everyone with a bag has been refused entry, been queuing for over an hour to put my away. No prior warning and thousands of people are queuing. Terrible organisation. At this rate we will miss @RollingStones as well pic.twitter.com/wLel55kKw5
— Theresa Waight (@TheresaWaight) May 22, 2018
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To all planning to see the #RollingStones at @LondonStadium : the security arrangements are a shambles and they won't let you in with anything other than a tiny bag (but won't tell you until you get there). Well worth the hassle though!
— Andrew J. Stilton (@AndrewJStilton) May 23, 2018
Everyone coming from work & no bags allowed in the amazing Olympic stadium to see the Rolling Stones #OPLC strike again! Bags abandoned outside ! #RollingStones #BagGate #Stratford #WHU pic.twitter.com/yAv7zO3bN7
— Scotty C (@ScottKcollins) May 22, 2018
Thanks for turning away my 65 year old mother who’s waited 35 years to see the Rolling Stones because her bag was 1 inch larger than a5. I’m sure her glasses case posed a real big security risk
— Alycea MarxBlackwell (@AlyceaMarx) May 22, 2018
I've only just found out about this today. I'm at work and coming straight to the concert. I have only my work bag on me and have no pockets on my clothes. Even if I did my wallet, phone, keys etc wouldn't fit in a pocket! What do you suggest I do?
— AlexandraEDavies (@Aliwallywoo) May 22, 2018
We had to empty our bags and fold them into our pockets. We have now counted mote than 20 oversized bags inside the stadium and would like to know how they managed it.
— Kidsgrove Community (@kidsgrovecommu1) May 22, 2018
Yet people got in with big bags – I was so angry to see some people got away with it pic.twitter.com/4CmywOLfSP
— Kate Crisp (@kec1964) May 22, 2018
https://twitter.com/STINGYluv4JNMK/status/999243437852495873
#RollingStones #StonesNoFilter AMAZING however #LondonStadium pre-gig contactability NON-EXISTENT as were their directions to public transport, informed customer service focused security and most alarmingly evidence of a consistent A5 bag policy!! Disappointing Venue pic.twitter.com/ePmsKgdMrL
— Louise (@ChezChampion) May 23, 2018
#rollingstones Outrageously terrible performance by Olympic stadium, no bags allowed in, thousands of people with bags after work cantvhet in. Simply disgusting
— The Dopey Gooner (@thedopeygooner) May 22, 2018
A spokesman for the stadium said that this was a “tour wide” policy and not one of the venue, while promoters AEG added: “Security conditions apply with regards to the size of bags that fans can bring to the concerts. Seventy thousand people attended the concert tonight with approximately 750 fans using the left luggage facility.”
“Whilst any delay on entry is unwanted, we hope fans understand that the safety of everyone is of the utmost importance.”
Rolling Stones’ remaining UK tour dates are below. Visit here for tickets and more information.
25 May, London Stadium – with Florence & The Machine
29 May, St Mary’s Stadium, Southampton – with The Vaccines
02 June, Ricoh Arena, Coventry – with The Specials
05 June, Old Trafford, Manchester – with Richard Ashcroft
09 June, BT Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh – with Richard Ashcroft
15 June, Principality Stadium, Cardiff – with Elbow
19 June, Twickenham Stadium, London – with James Bay