Family left ‘traumatised’ after attending Duran Duran gig in Manchester

A family were reportedly left ‘traumatised’ after a fight broke out while they attended Duran Duran’s gig in Manchester on Saturday (April 29).

The Birmingham-band are currently on tour in the UK, with a huge homecoming concert set to take place on Friday, May 5. The New Romantic pop group took to the stage at Manchester’s AO Arena at the weekend to kick-start their tour, but one family had their experience ruined after a ‘brawl’ broke out at the show.

Robert Motley told the Manchester Evening News that he asked the Arena for a refund and criticised the security staff at the event following the incident. The 58-year-old went to see the band with his wife and two adult daughters when a scuffle broke out in the seated area close to them.

He told the newspaper that a couple who were sat close to them became frustrated when a younger man a couple of rows in front of them stood up when the band came on. He said: “The older guy shouted at him to sit down and he did. Then he did it again and there was an obscene exchange. After the third time, they started to brawl.

“The old fella went from zero to 100. I think the younger guy was goading him, but the older guy was wanting to cause trouble.” Robert said the scene looked like a ‘wrestling match’ with the brawl taking place over two rows. He said his daughter went to find staff to help but there was ‘nobody in their section’ from security.

Robert said that the incident ‘traumatised’ him and his wife and they left after 5 or 10 minutes into the gig, with the band only having played a few songs. A statement from the AO Arena said: “We received one report of an isolated, customer behaviour related incident. This was dealt with swiftly by our security team who provided immediate assistance and advice. We extend our apologies to anyone whose night was spoiled due to the behaviour of another guest.”