Fans scrambled down to the O2 Ritz to try and secure gig tickets, following the shock announcement
Fans gather outside the O2 Ritz for surprise Foo Fighters’ gig tickets
There was a sense of eager excitement in the air outside the O2 Ritz as Foo Fighters fans queued to try to get an elusive ticket to a surprise gig announced by the band just hours earlier.
In a shock announcement on Sunday, the Manchester music venue on along Whitworth Street posted on social media that the Foo Fighters will be performing on Friday, this week. However, there was one catch – fans could only bag a ticket by going down to the venue in person.
Soon, hoards of fans collected outside the intimate venue in an attempt to be one of the first in line to get a ticket. Sales were on a first-come-first-served basis, with the O2 Ritz holding a capacity of just 1,500.
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Outside the music venue, fans who spoke to the Manchester Evening News described feelings of pure shock and delight at the band’s surprise announcement. Many also shared stories of rushing down to the arena in the hope of securing one of the highly coveted tickets.
Fans gathered outside the O2 Ritz to try and secure surprise Foo Fighters tickets
Mike Flackitt, 32, and Lowry Flackitt, 28, from North Wales, were one such couple who rushed down to the O2 Ritz to get in line for the surprise sale. The pair were on their way to Telford, in Shropshire, when they heard the news of the surprise gig and as self-described massive fans of the Foo Fighters, they decided to make a detour.
“I’ve never parked the car so quickly,” Lowry quipped, describing the pair’s arrival in Manchester for the surprise ticket sale. Commenting on the tickets being first-come, first-served and not guaranteed, Mike added: “At worst, we thought we get a day in Manchester.”
Others also told stories of rushing down to the venue to try their chances at bagging a ticket after spotting the surprise announcement. One fan, Mike Roberts, 39, said he also rushed down the motorway after hearing the shock announcement in order to try and get a ticket.
Mike Flackitt, 32, and Lowry Flackitt, 28 who secured tickets to the Foo Fighters(Image: MEN)
“There’s a real buzz,” added Michael Bond, 45, standing in line. He added this will be his sixth time watching the band, after securing a ticket, but said he was looking forward to seeing them in the intimate venue.
Reflecting on hearing the announcement, another fan, Rob, 27, said: “I rolled off the sofa and ran.” Securing himself a ticket to the surprise gig, he added: ” It’s crazy, feels impossible.”
Ticket prices had been set at £99.00 including all fees and fans could not pay with cash – with contactless, credit cards and debit cards only.
Foo Fighters had been scheduled to perform in Liverpool this year as part of the Take Cover Tour, which spans 12 European dates, but with only two shows in the UK so far.
READ MORE: In pictures: Foo Fighters fans race to grab tickets for surprise Manchester gig
The band’s 15-Grammy Award-winning catalogue includes The Colour and the Shape, There Is Nothing Left To Lose’, One By One, In Your Honor, Echoes, Silence, Patience and Grace, Wasting Light, Sonic Highways, Concrete and Gold, Medicine at Midnight and 2023’s But Here We Are.
They released new song ‘Your Favourite Toy’ earlier this week, with the album of the same name set to drop April 24.
The O2 Ritz gig will be on a much smaller scale than that of the Anfield show and gives fans the opportunity to see them in the Manchester venue, with the venue noting they have limited space.