Ravers were left gutted after a ‘pop-up’ event in Manchester for a popular Dutch DJ duo came to a sudden halt – with would-be partygoers urged to leave. ANOTR, who have seen UK chart success this spring with the track Talk To You, were due to perform at a secret location in the city on Friday (May 29).
Fans snapped up free tickets for the event online, before the location was revealed as the Projekts MCR Skatepark, underneath Mancunian Way, on London Road.
But what should have been a joyous occasion was brought to a shuddering stop part-way through ANOTR’s set, after fans who were unable to get inside the makeshift venue began climbing fences to try and get in.
Click here to get the biggest stories straight to your inbox in our Daily Newsletter
It’s believed that more tickets were issued than space allowed at the venue, with the DJs telling fans the event was always intended to be ‘first come first served’. Footage widely circulating on TikTok shows people trying to scale the fence, before pleas were issued with those outside the venue to move away.
Student Peter Gallagher, from Eccles, turned up to the event 40 minutes before it was due to begin and was allowed entry. The 20-year-old told the Manchester Evening News that the venue soon filled up, before gates were closed with ticketholders still outside.
Those outside the skatepark began ‘getting rowdy’ before starting to climb over the fences, prompting the event to come to a halt. “They were meant to be on for three hours but were only for 30 minutes,” said Peter.
People were seen being ‘angry’ outside before trying to climb the fence(Image: TikTok: @miabirchenoughx)
“Even though it’s a free event, it was pretty annoying. They have had free events in other cities around the world like Milan and Rio and they have gone ahead fine.”
Peter said there was a 30-mintue period without music, and partygoers were hoping ANOTR would resume the set. He described seeing people begin to climb onto toilet cubicle roofs to try and get over the fences, while those who went outside to use the toilet were ‘getting angry’ after being prevented from returning.
But after a half-hour wait, people began to unplug equipment from the DJ booth, and an announcement confirmed the event had been axed. In footage shared online, Jesse van der Heijden – one half of the DJ duo ANOTR – could be heard urging the crowd outside the fence to move away ‘otherwise this party is gonna be shut down’.
Jesse van der Heijden speaks to those outside the fence(Image: TikTok: @l.oej)
He added: “This is a free party, it’s a pop-up. It’s one in, one out, first come, first served. So people that came too late… next time, come early.”
A second man could then be heard urging people to move away so the event could continue. He said: “Alright, everybody outside, please stop ruining it for everybody.
“We need you all to leave. Please leave, please let this go ahead. If you’re waiting outside, please go somewhere else, because this will not get going again until you leave. Please.”
A second man was seen pleading with those outside to move on(Image: TikTok: @ l.oej)
ANOTR – who are due to to play at the No Art Open Air festival in Bolesworth Castle, Cheshire, today – then shared a message on TikTok opening up about their disappointment at how events unfolded. They wrote: “We’re so disappointed that the pop up got cancelled.
“Unfortunately – people started climbing the fences, and the police decided to stop the event. Hopefully we’ll get another chance to make it happen!”
Some ravers commented on TikTok to criticise the organisation of the event. “The whole thing was a mess,” one person wrote. Another said: “Or just don’t do a pop up in a skatepark in Manchester like what were they expecting?”
People were seen using the toilet cubicle roofs outside to get over the fence(Image: TikTok: @miabirchenoughx)
But some put the blame squarely on those outside the fences. One gig goer told the Manchester Evening News: “It was a great event, just a few who ruined it for everyone. Police shut it down as people were jumping in over the fence.”
Some raised concerns about the number of tickets issued beyond capacity, although one TikTok user commented: “Mate could’ve easily fit hundreds more into the venue it wasn’t oversold at all.” ANOTR also commented on the issue of tickets being allegedly ‘oversold’.
Responding to claims on TikTok that double the number of tickets were issued for the capacity, ANOTR wrote: “We didn’t send tickets to that many people and it was a free event. it’s always first comes first serve (as communicated on the tickets) some people couldn’t take that.”
GMP and event organisers have been approached for comment.