A retro music festival held in Sheffield last weekend has been widely criticised by attendees, many of whom described the event as a "shambles" due to extensive queues for essential facilities and significant overcrowding. The '90s Fest, which took place at the Don Valley Bowl, featured popular acts from the era including UB40, 5ive, and Vengaboys.
Michael Osbourne, 40, from Gilberdyke, East Yorkshire, who has attended the annual event five times previously, expressed his disappointment. He and his wife Yvette, 37, along with friends, paid £115 each for VIP tickets to the three-day festival. However, Mr Osbourne claimed that individuals without VIP passes were able to access all areas, leading to overcrowding. He reported that in the Super VIP area, where his group was meant to have exclusive access, they "literally couldn't get into" the toilets due to hundreds of people, and faced six bar queues, each with approximately 50 people waiting.
Amy Atherton, 39, from Rotherham, a first-time attendee and wheelchair user, also purchased VIP passes with her friend Mary Rawlinson, 42. Ms Atherton stated that the lack of a disabled platform confined them to a single spot for six hours, as they feared losing their place if they attempted to use the toilets or bar. She described the experience as "shocking" and confirmed she would "definitely not" return. Savannah Wright, 28, from Sheffield, similarly recounted waiting around 90 minutes for toilets and an hour for a drink in the crowded VIP bar area on Saturday, stating she had "never ever experienced anything like it" before.
The issues appear to have been most pronounced on Saturday, with some attendees noting an improvement on Sunday after organisers reportedly made changes. However, for many, the damage was already done. Mr Osbourne confirmed his party would not be returning in 2027, citing the Saturday experience as the primary reason. The festival organisers have been contacted for comment regarding the numerous complaints.
In response to the feedback, a spokesperson for Sheffield City Council stated that organisers have welcomed constructive feedback to support the continued development and improvement of future events. Councillor Mark Rusling, chair of the environmental services and regulation policy committee at Sheffield City Council, added that while the council met with festival organisers, at no point was the event considered to present a risk to public safety. He assured attendees that all future events in the city would continue to be monitored to ensure high standards.