‘What a joke’: Family outraged after shocking concert ticket demand
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Attending a live concert is meant to be an exciting experience, especially when it’s a long-anticipated event for the whole family.
But what happens when an unexpected hurdle threatens to derail those plans?
One Australian family found themselves in a frustrating dilemma after encountering an unforeseen requirement that could cost them hundreds—forcing them to reconsider their long-awaited night out.
A concertgoer was left stunned after being told she had to buy a full-price ticket for her eight-month-old baby.
Crystal* from New South Wales' Hunter Valley had planned a special night out with her husband and their two children, aged 10 and eight, to see Simple Plan perform at Qudos Bank Arena in May.
‘We are all Simple Plan fans, we even went last year when I was pregnant,’ she said.
The concert was meant to be a surprise for their children, but unexpected circumstances forced them to reconsider their plans.
After their babysitters cancelled, Crystal and her husband had no choice but to bring their baby along.
Hoping to clarify the venue’s policy, she contacted the stadium to ask if she could carry her baby in a front carrier during the concert.
Over the phone, she was told the decision would be up to the event organisers, Destroy All Lines.
However, when she reached out to them, they directed her back to the stadium.
Seeking further clarification, she messaged the venue through social media and was told that all attendees, regardless of age, required a valid ticket.
She would have to buy a full-price ticket for her baby to enter.
‘I just laughed,’ she said.
‘I sent the reply to my husband and my friends and I said, “this is a joke, how do they justify this?”’
The policy left her frustrated, particularly because there was no discounted option for infants.
She continued: ‘It’s super annoying, to be honest. I can’t comprehend how they can justify making people pay that amount.’
‘It’s not even a discounted ticket, a lot of places, for example theme parks, if the child is under the age of two they can go for free.’
Adding to the frustration, she later found out that tickets in their section were already sold out, meaning she couldn’t even buy an extra ticket if she wanted to.
‘I honestly don’t know what we’re going to do,’ she said.
‘I’ve reached out to a couple of friends, but they all have babies too, so I just don’t feel right inconveniencing them.’
‘We can’t afford another $180, we’re tossing up what to do, if we should sell the tickets.’
‘The worst part is, it’s our kids’ first concert, and they love Simple Plan. I don’t know what to do.’
The issue has raised concerns about inconsistent policies at major venues.
Last year, a Sydney family was also told they needed to buy a ticket for their newborn to attend a Pink concert at Accor Stadium.
The decision was later overturned, and the baby was allowed in for free.
The same family had previously attended a concert at Qudos Bank Arena, where their baby was allegedly allowed entry without a ticket.
Crystal questioned the fairness of the policy.
‘If children are under a certain age, I don’t think a full ticket price should be justified,’ she said.
‘(Our baby) is going to be in a carrier on my chest, and $180 just isn’t justifiable.’
Qudos Bank Arena has been contacted for comment.
* Last name withheld for privacy reasons.
In a previous story, another cinema-goer had a bizarre experience that left them just as stunned.
Their unexpected encounter raised questions about cleanliness and what patrons should expect when visiting public venues.
Read on to find out what happened.
With venues enforcing strict ticketing policies, should infants really be charged full price for events they won’t even remember? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
But what happens when an unexpected hurdle threatens to derail those plans?
One Australian family found themselves in a frustrating dilemma after encountering an unforeseen requirement that could cost them hundreds—forcing them to reconsider their long-awaited night out.
A concertgoer was left stunned after being told she had to buy a full-price ticket for her eight-month-old baby.
Crystal* from New South Wales' Hunter Valley had planned a special night out with her husband and their two children, aged 10 and eight, to see Simple Plan perform at Qudos Bank Arena in May.
‘We are all Simple Plan fans, we even went last year when I was pregnant,’ she said.
Mum shocked by concert’s strict ticket rule. Image source: Evan Adostini/Getty Images
The concert was meant to be a surprise for their children, but unexpected circumstances forced them to reconsider their plans.
After their babysitters cancelled, Crystal and her husband had no choice but to bring their baby along.
Hoping to clarify the venue’s policy, she contacted the stadium to ask if she could carry her baby in a front carrier during the concert.
Over the phone, she was told the decision would be up to the event organisers, Destroy All Lines.
However, when she reached out to them, they directed her back to the stadium.
Seeking further clarification, she messaged the venue through social media and was told that all attendees, regardless of age, required a valid ticket.
She would have to buy a full-price ticket for her baby to enter.
‘I just laughed,’ she said.
‘I sent the reply to my husband and my friends and I said, “this is a joke, how do they justify this?”’
The policy left her frustrated, particularly because there was no discounted option for infants.
She continued: ‘It’s super annoying, to be honest. I can’t comprehend how they can justify making people pay that amount.’
‘It’s not even a discounted ticket, a lot of places, for example theme parks, if the child is under the age of two they can go for free.’
Adding to the frustration, she later found out that tickets in their section were already sold out, meaning she couldn’t even buy an extra ticket if she wanted to.
‘I honestly don’t know what we’re going to do,’ she said.
‘I’ve reached out to a couple of friends, but they all have babies too, so I just don’t feel right inconveniencing them.’
‘We can’t afford another $180, we’re tossing up what to do, if we should sell the tickets.’
‘The worst part is, it’s our kids’ first concert, and they love Simple Plan. I don’t know what to do.’
The issue has raised concerns about inconsistent policies at major venues.
Last year, a Sydney family was also told they needed to buy a ticket for their newborn to attend a Pink concert at Accor Stadium.
The decision was later overturned, and the baby was allowed in for free.
The same family had previously attended a concert at Qudos Bank Arena, where their baby was allegedly allowed entry without a ticket.
Crystal questioned the fairness of the policy.
‘If children are under a certain age, I don’t think a full ticket price should be justified,’ she said.
‘(Our baby) is going to be in a carrier on my chest, and $180 just isn’t justifiable.’
Qudos Bank Arena has been contacted for comment.
* Last name withheld for privacy reasons.
In a previous story, another cinema-goer had a bizarre experience that left them just as stunned.
Their unexpected encounter raised questions about cleanliness and what patrons should expect when visiting public venues.
Read on to find out what happened.
With venues enforcing strict ticketing policies, should infants really be charged full price for events they won’t even remember? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
