Jimmy Buffett fans demand refunds after security line bottleneck
Jimmy Buffett fans are demanding answers and refunds following a security line mess that left hundreds of ticketed concertgoers stranded outside KeyBank Pavilion on Saturday night.
Frustrated and anxious "Parrotheads" took to social media to express their outrage.
Photos depict major crowds stuck in line outside the gates of the outdoor venue in Burgettstown even after the "Margaritaville" folk country singer-songwriter took the stage.
Long lines, no movement at West gate. Concert started and NO movement. pic.twitter.com/c35yZ5j2CU
" Tracey Sheetz (@TeeSheetz) July 8, 2018
@KeyBankPavilion @LiveNation I demand a refund. This is insane. The concert started an hour ago. I will NEVER go to another concert here. pic.twitter.com/WaFvwQavPS
" Gen3 Advisor Group (@Gen3Advisor) July 8, 2018
I want a refund #keybankpavillion
" Rebecca Felton (@RebeccaFelton4) July 8, 2018
Some fans said they paid $100 to park, waited in line for more than two hours and only got to hear Buffett perform a handful of songs.
Others said they never even made it inside KeyBank Pavilion and began requesting refunds Saturday night.
@Ticketmaster how can I reach your customer service center about a refund for the Jimmy Buffett concert in Burgettstown Pennsylvania. Never stepped foot in the door and waited for 2 hours in line.
" Alex Vogt (@alex_vogt_) July 8, 2018
@LiveNation @FirstKeyBank @jimmybuffett this is ridiculous. Concert started an hour ago, still in line. Paid $50 for a lawn seat, $100 for parking. When are you going to give me my money back??? PSA- Never using Live Nation again. Ever. Ever. Ever. pic.twitter.com/5HrZTKBNfE
" Heath (@ThaHeathBar) July 8, 2018
This is the worst experience of my life. We JUST got into our seats and now the concert is over? Came all the way from New York for 10 minutes @jimmybuffett @KeyBankPavilion @LiveNation
" Michelle Chiomastro (@Michellechiomas) July 8, 2018
It was not immediately clear what caused the unexpected delays.
The gates were scheduled to open at 6:30 p.m., about six hours after the venue's parking lots opened to vehicles.
The show began at 8 p.m.
Pittsburgh on a Saturday night pic.twitter.com/XK87LP37NC
" Jimmy Buffett (@jimmybuffett) July 8, 2018
This is the line at 9pm for @jimmybuffett ... going home, please refund my money. Thanks. @LiveNation @KeyBankPavilion pic.twitter.com/QdcW5jIiCc
" Sonny Fraud (@LastNameFake) July 8, 2018
Absurd. Wasted money and time on tix, hotel, etc., just to stand in line??! Never seen anything like it.
" Sonny Fraud (@LastNameFake) July 8, 2018
Love Jimmy Buffet have been a going to see him since 1995. Keybank Pavilion is terrible! Got in line at 7:20pm for a 8pm show and got in a 9:20pm! Really! #LivePDNation #keybankpavillion #jimmybuffet
" Christoper Fierro (@fierrofierro88) July 8, 2018
KeyBank Pavilion has enough space for about 23,000 fans.
Multiple messages into officials representing the concert venue and Live Nation, its owner and operator, went unreturned until late Sunday.
Shortly after 6 p.m., a Live Nation spokesperson issued a statement apologizing for the delays — without going so far as to provide an explanation into what caused them.
"During last night's show, some fans experienced longer than normal wait times," Live Nation said in the statement. "We apologize for the inconvenience and frustration this may have caused and will continue working hard to prevent situations like this from happening again in the future. Any fans who experienced delays are encouraged to reach out to Ticketmaster Fan Support."
Live Nation did not respond to requests about specific reasons for the extraordinary wait times nor disclose how many refunds had been issued.
The Ticketmaster Fan Support Twitter account (@TMfanSupport) reached out to fans complaining via social media and asked for their ticket order numbers.
Fans also can reach Ticketmaster by calling 1-800-653-8000.
Attention #parrotheads that missed all (or most) of last night's @jimmybuffett show amid insanely long security delays: I'm told you should reach out to @TMfanSupport or @LiveNation via Twitter, or call 1-800-653 8000.(Meanwhile, awaiting official explanation for said delays). https://t.co/Yub7ZKnL0u
" Natasha Lindstrom (@NewsNatasha) July 8, 2018
Still waiting for callbacks from @LiveNation / @Ticketmaster regarding exactly what happened last night that caused such major security line delays for #parrotheads hoping to see @jimmybuffett perform @KeyBankPavilion ICYMI ... fans weren't too pleased. https://t.co/q4f8WzymC1 pic.twitter.com/wphzHcegEa
" Natasha Lindstrom (@NewsNatasha) July 8, 2018
Natasha Lindstrom is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach her at nlindstrom@tribweb.com, 412-380-8514 or via Twitter @NewsNatasha.
