Petition Created for Refunds Following Fan Complaints of Overcrowding at London’s Drumsheds

Petition for Refunds Following Overcrowding

A petition has been initiated by fans clamoring for refunds due to the overcrowded conditions at London’s Drumsheds.

The 15,000-capacity venue, a repurposed IKEA building in Tottenham, hosted the 15th anniversary of British bass label UKF last Friday (December 13). However, it quickly faced criticism after reports of overcrowding surfaced.

Numerous attendees, including Pendulum, Nero, Knife Party, and others, have taken to social media to label the event as having “unsafe queues,” overcrowding, and “aggressive” security measures.

Consequently, a new petition has emerged demanding that Drumsheds organizers be “held accountable” for the issues fans encountered and that refunds be issued.

As of now, the petition has garnered over 1,900 signatures since its publication on Saturday (December 14), with expectations to reach 2,500. “Many attendees were subjected to appalling conditions which jeopardized their safety at a recent event at Drumsheds in London,” the petition description states.

Concertgoers Share Their Experiences

“These situations can result in disruptive incidents such as crowding or potential collisions. According to multiple accounts from concerned attendees, these issues were especially pronounced along the pathways leading to the venue, inciting mass panic and fear among participants,” it continues.

“We are therefore urging organizers to issue refunds due to these conditions at their event. By signing this petition, you support our call for safety standards to be upheld at all event venues and for attendees who faced this frightening situation to receive fair compensation.”

Social Media Reactions

Further accounts of the circumstances faced by concertgoers have circulated on social media and in the petition’s comments, with one attendee describing it as “the most dangerous event I’ve experienced.” Another individual claimed they were “covered in bruises and felt violated by the inept dog handler and security,” while a third participant remarked it was “terrifying,” adding, “In the end, the queue to see two and a half acts was a joke. I have no idea how they managed to escape without severe issues.”

The comments resonate with a similar report shared in Music Technology, which revisited the challenges of poor management and extensive queues faced at UKF15, prompting discussions on whether it was the “worst organized event” at this venue. More fan experiences can be found below.

@drumsheds Where is the best place to complain about your event on Friday? Unsafe crowd control, I stood in line for 1.5 hours only to be instructed to go back to the start because my bag (less than A4 size) was too large, despite already allowing two security officers through (I bought a locker) and paying £20 for three waters? ? pic.twitter.com/IqjjYji429

— Amy Underdown (@amyunderdown_) December 15, 2024

@drumsheds It’s extremely unsafe, there’s no way out. Clearly, you cannot manage that many people. pic.twitter.com/rv6Hn47gr3

— Brennan | Alpenglow 🔜 🤷 (@Alpenglow_Bass) December 13, 2024

The pendulum is sick. @drumsheds however, it’s a real shame. Undoubtedly the worst place I’ve ever been.

— Zack (@ZackBrownarse) December 14, 2024

Absolutely. @drumsheds crowd management needs serious attention. The line to enter was unsafe, poorly organized, and almost hazardous in parts. https://t.co/yg3ZIza25J

— Toby (@djtobylawrence) December 14, 2024

@drumsheds There were significant crowd control and/or capacity issues at Drumshed last night. I’ve attended hundreds of raves and this was the worst, and the only one I feel compelled to report. It was frustrating at best and severely unsafe at worst. pic.twitter.com/nPIGi8FGYg

— Rosalind Church (@Rozzie_Church) December 14, 2024

No @drumsheds making people wait in line to exit after we spent 2 and a half hours just trying to get in 🥲🥲 pic.twitter.com/3LQ8VoQjBX

— Hari (@lilgothhh) December 14, 2024

Following the outpouring of complaints from attendees, Drumsheds Broadwick Live issued a statement acknowledging that the venue encountered “a number of issues” that night but had attempted to address them by increasing security measures.

“We are aware of the raised concerns and sincerely apologize for the disappointment and discomfort encountered during the event,” stated a release from MixMag.

“Unfortunately, a series of challenges arose overnight, including longer than normal lines and congestion due to a mix of factors, including heightened security protocols. While these actions were necessary, we recognize their effect and are conducting a thorough evaluation.”

This is an ongoing story.