By Claire McCormack

THERE WAS anger yesterday over the decision to allow people to buy up to six tickets for The View concert at the Caird Hall in Dundee next month.

The policy was said to have been largely responsible for the lightning-quick sale, which left hordes of luckless fans dismayed, while some claimed it would fuel the online tout trade as people bought more briefs than they needed.

One frustrated fan also alleged that city council box office staff ignored telephone lines to sell tickets over the counter.

“I attempted to buy tickets for The View at the Caird Hall this morning,” he said. “What a joke. They were meant to be available over the counter—fine if you stay in Dundee—by phone or online. Despite getting through on the phone at 9am and being kept on hold for 40 minutes—nothing. I was then told they did not sell any to phone callers as they were too busy.”

Dundee student Wayne Paul (21) said he was bitterly disappointed there were not more tickets for local fans. “I went down and queued from before 7am but apparently there were only 700 tickets for sale at the box office.

“This concert was meant to be for local fans and I just think it was ridiculous so few tickets were sold to the general public.”

A spokesman for the city council said, “It was unfortunate that there were more people who wanted tickets than there were tickets available.”

A spokeswoman for promoters DF Concerts said that the reason fans were able to buy six tickets at a time was because this was seen as a limit to give Dundee followers, who have supported the band for years, more of a chance to secure briefs at The View’s biggest headlining show to date.

Fans trying to buy tickets on the phone or over the internet also faced a frustrating wait.

Dundee woman Linda Wilkie said, “The computer crashed before nine and I was on hold on the phone for 20 minutes and then they cut me off. If you’re not down there in person then you’ve got no chance.

“I was trying to get tickets for my 15-year-old daughter. She’s been a fan since before they were even famous.”

There were also strong feelings the tickets should have gone on sale earlier, perhaps even by an hour, to ensure pupils made it to school and workers started on time.

“The View’s style of music predominately appeals to young people,” one angry fan said. “This was reflected in the fact that the majority of people queuing for tickets were adolescents. Dundee City Council should have pre-empted this.”

Some tickets for the concert have been up for auction on eBay since the end of last week. By last night the price had reached £142 for two tickets, despite having a face value of £12.50 each.

Despite the overwhelming demand there are no plans for a second View show at the Caird Hall, the promoters said last night, writes Alan Wilson.

After the tickets sold out the city council immediately contacted the promoters over the possibility of organising a second concert.

A council spokesman said, “Because of the amazing response, where tickets sold out at the box office by 9.50am and online on Ticketmaster by 9.07am ... we have asked the promoters to consider putting on another gig at the Caird Hall.”

But a spokeswoman for DF Concerts said, “Currently we have no plans for a second gig.”

At its longest, the queue had around 300 people in it, reaching as far back as the Marryat Hall.

Many people had arrived in the early hours to ensure that they would get a ticket.

The majority in the queue were teenagers and children who were meant to be at school and people absent from work were also waiting for the chance of a ticket.

Yvonne Craib and Grace Watson were the first people to get their hands on tickets after waiting 12 hours.

“My son is autistic and he loves The View so I waited since 9.15 last night for tickets,” Grace said. “I’m just delighted to have got them.”

Keren Rennie and Nicole Garland were also among the first to get tickets.

Nicole said she had been a fan of The View for years as most of the band had been at St John’s High School with her.

She recalled that whenever there were talent shows at the school the band would always demonstrate their musical ability.

Heather Smith of St Mary’s was hoping for tickets for herself and her daughters who were at college and had been waiting in the queue since midnight.

“It will be great to see them in the Caird Hall. It will be electric.”

Kerry Reilly of Stobswell said, “I like The View so much because they’re from Dundee and have become famous. They’re brilliant.”

The View, who went to number one with their debut album Hats Off To The Buskers, have been anxious to play the Caird Hall since hitting the charts with their debut single Wasted Little DJs propelled them into celebrity status last year.