Saturday, January 26, 2008
I'm still standing ... in the queue
The performance as well as the Spanish reports (local tele too just reported that it had happened and that "more than 20,000" attended), were that the Elton John concert in Tenerife was a bit 'clinical'. The high spot, as Per Kersoe in Las Americas tells us, was that, "During the concert, the full moon began to rise directly above the stage." You can see that clearly in this video.
On the other hand, no surprise here, all the comments I've read in English are far from complimentary about the gig's [lack of] organization. Oh, we know that a laid back attitude is a necessity in Tenerife's climate and, as an outsider, one tries to get used it. Holidaymakers are already relaxing from the usual pressures, but there's a limit. Some things need to be done right.
Mike and Pat from Wolverhampton comment here that they, "Wouldn't have missed it for the world, even though the entrance took ages (Organisers need to address before their next venue / proper signage would have helped)."
John from SortedSites, being fairly polite, says: "The organisers need to get better organised for their next gig as there were no marshalls or signs for which entrance to use but once we were in Elton put on a good show!"
LosGigantes.com's dolly diver, quoting Tenerife daily, La Opinión, says that, "... the doors did not open until 45 minutes before and the bottlenecks due to a shortage of ticket checkers caused many to miss the start of the concert."
Something author, Joe Cawley confirms, having been one of those:
"... still queuing patiently like a twat when Elton burst onto stage and began the show."
Joe uses a few other flowery words in his report on the show and, I don't blame him, given the apparently lack of safety, as well as the fact that those, like him, who had paid extra were all thrown in with the hoi polloi in the end.
LosGigantes.com add "The organisers could face legal action after scores of fans who had bought expensive VIP tickets were unable to access their seats. Problems also plagued traffic in the area, with tailbacks in Playa de Las Americas and along the motorway due to inadequate signposting."
Like Joe says, it's wasn't the first ever gig in Tenerife and it's hardly rocket science, so you'd think they could handle it. And the authorities really should get properly behind things like this. They've been flapping around yelling "the sky is falling", because tourist numbers were a bit down last year and here they are with the big chance to attract a big crowd and impress and ... WTF?
Then somebody should have explained to Sir Reg - who did clock in with the expected British punctuality - that NOTHING ever begins on time here.
(Note to older mega stars invited to Tenerife in future: If you're scheduled to play at 9 p.m., use the time to get in a bit of a nap, because a kick off of somewhere between 10:30 and 11 p.m. is much more like it.)
But, whilst I'll agree that there is always a first time for everything, this is Tenerife remember. In all the 16 years or so I've been here, I've been to many concerts and events and there have been no signs of organization ever becoming adopted as a habit. And frankly, I doubt it ever will. :)
Canarias7's reporters got a bit closer to film this video:
Those who were still queuing patiently when the concert began, will no doubt have adopted I'm still standing as their theme song.
PS: The question I still can't answer though, is why did they need to build a special amphitheatre / venue for the Elton John concert - taking hole #17 out of action on the Costa Adeje Golf, which must have made golfers cry - while there is already a 30,000 + capacity Estadio Olimpico Antonio Dominguez right next door, in Arona - where the concert was originally reputed to be taking place? Elton likes his football, so that can't have been a problem. That venue was good enough for Jennifer López and her husband, Marc Anthony. What gives?
Labels: Elton John Tenerife
