News from GDN

ANGRY fans are turning to the Internet to vent their feelings over a Bahrain concert which ended in rioting, when Dutch DJ Ti‘sto failed to show up.

Frustrated fans smashed and stole equipment from the concert venue at the Marina Club last Wednesday, after waiting hours for the star to make his Bahrain debut.

Now angry ticket-holders are mobilising themselves on the Internet in a bid to get refunds.

They have formed groups on the Facebook social networking website, discussing how they can get refunds for their tickets, which drew over 3,000 house and trance music fans.

Discussions are rampant, with some fans coming forward with suggestions while others are using the website as a venting outlet, labelling the event as "the worst organised event ever!"

Some believe that a refunding process based on proof-of-purchase basis would be an uphill battle, as ticket stubs weren't given to holders and concert-goers may not have retained their entry wristbands.

"We need proof that we bought the ticket, but they just took our tickets at the door and gave us wristbands and I don't know if that's enough proof, plus I'm sure a lot of you have thrown away your wristband, so what should they do if they can't refund us?" reads one message.

Opinion however, remains divided about whether the DJ or the show's organisers were to be blamed for the "poorly planned and misorganised" show.

Posts on the website criticise the lack of drinks, poor security and seating arrangements in the VIP and VVIP areas.

"No drinks, no backstage, no proper security, no organising, no artificial rain, not even water, and no Ti‘sto. I'll make it plain and simple, I want my money back," reads one message.

Some have called for action to be taken against organiser PrimeTime Entertainment's event co-ordinator Ayman Al Hamad and believe that the Dutch DJ is not to be blamed.

"I feel sorry for Ti‘sto, his image is poor in most Middle Eastern countries now even though it wasn't his fault and he should sue," read one message.

Others believe that the superstar should have honoured his fans.

"He simply ignored those people who have gathered to see the number one DJ in the world," said one post.

People have also suggested a free event to compensate.

The Ti‘sto and Bahrain's Concert Disaster group on the Facebook website had 14 members yesterday, while the Ti‘sto Doesn't Show Up in Bahrain group and the Ti‘sto in Bahrain We Want Our Money Back group each had 198 and 148 members respectively.

Brief film clips showing scenes of fans toppling speakers were also posted on the YouTube video sharing website as early as Thursday morning.

DJ Ti‘sto meanwhile issued an apology to fans on his official website on Friday, pledging to make up for it.

"Dear fans, I am very sorry for what happened at the Marina Club in Bahrain last Wednesday," he said in the message.

Ti‘sto claims he was not paid, but would still have performed.

"I still wanted to play at the party, so I was waiting for somebody to pick me up from the hotel and bring me to the venue," he said.

"At 2am, still nobody had arrived and we heard that police were already on the way to the venue.

"At that moment, I had no other choice than to stay in my hotel room.

"Again, I am very sorry for what happened and I will definitely try to find a way to make it up with all my fans who bought tickets for the show."

Mr Al Hamad told the GDN on Friday that Ti‘sto failed to show up after refusing to be paid in Bahraini dinars.

Mr Al Hamad said the DJ had already been paid 18,000 euros (BD9,243) in advance to cover his private jet expenses.

He said the DJ had also been paid BD16,000 in UK sterling and dollars on the night, but refused to accept the remainder in dinars.

Mr Al Hamad said Ti‘sto was due to be paid 118,000 euros (BD61,478) in total.