Westlife fans left standing after Glasgow seat mishap Published duration 29 May 2019

media caption The boy band addressed fans during the concert in Glasgow, saying the show would go on despite a lack of seats

Westlife fans who paid extra money for front row seats at a concert were forced to stand after their chairs did not arrive at the venue.

They have described jostling with others for prime views during Tuesday's show to see the boy band at the SSE Hydro in Glasgow.

The band thanked fans for coming and explained that it was either go ahead without seats or postpone the concert.

Organisers blamed transport issues, and said refunds would be offered.

Westlife, consisting of Kian Egan, Nicky Byrne, Mark Feehily and Shane Filan, are currently touring the UK as part of their Twenty Tour.

'Production error'

Fan Mhairi-Louise Brennan said she had paid nearly £200 each for her tickets to see the Irish boy band.

She said: "We got a notification just to advise that due to a production error the whole concert would be standing so our VIP third-row seats no longer existed.

"We were with my cousin who has a disability and is not able to stand for long periods of time, so it is a bit unfair.

"The customer service is pretty abysmal to be honest with you."

image copyright Jackie McLellan image caption SSE Hydro said transport delays meant the seating layout for the show had changed.

image caption Westlife announced they would begin touring again in 2018, six years after splitting

The band's Nicky Byrne explained to the crowd that the band's crew had tried to fix the problem and could not.

They decided to go ahead with the show by having crowds stand, and said it was either that or postpone the concert.

"We've had some local crew come in through the night, through the day from Scotland to help rig this, to get it up for you guys here tonight, to make sure that we could do a show for you guys.

"The options were literally at seven o'clock tonight no show or go out and give them the show that we could give them, which would mean standing on the floor for you guys.

"Rather than send you all home and postpone it for another night we thought genuinely let's get out. I hope you don't mind and let's give it a great show, so thank you Glasgow.

"We wanted this show to be the first show on the UK mainland, we didn't want to change that, so thank you for that.

Apology over transport delays

In a statement published ahead of the gig on its website, SSE Hydro said: "Due to transport delays, the seating layout for the Westlife show this evening has been changed.

"The event was originally fully seated and is now a seated and standing show."

The statement added: "If you are unable to stand or prefer not to, you will be entitled to a full refund from your original point of purchase.

"Westlife are delighted to be back in Glasgow and are very much looking forward to what will be a great night.

"On behalf of the promoter of the event we apologise for any frustration or disappointment this may cause and appreciate your understanding."