Scores of music fans are demanding refunds over “dismal” conditions at this year’s Rewind Festival.
The eighties extravaganza at Scone Palace, featuring sun-kissed sets from among others OMD, Status Quo and UB40, was hailed as the best yet by organisers.
But about 100 revellers are now asking for their money back because of major changes to the site’s VIP area.
Organisers have been presented with a petition, complaining about conditions in the “luxury” enclosure which cost £125 more to access than the normal ticket price.
Complainers said that in previous years, the area had plush seating, an ornate tepee-style tent with hanging chandelier, cocktail bar and full view of the main stage.
This year, for the same price, VIP guests found themselves in an open site with no marquee, luxury seating replaced with picnic benches, a “limited bar… with cheap wine from Bulgaria at premium prices” and the view of the main stage obstructed by speakers.
Rewind organisers have pledged to take on board the complaints before next year’s show. They said they are still considering how to respond to requests for refunds.
This was the first Rewind at Scone for new operators Broadwick Live, who took over the franchise last year.
Festival regular Angie Gatford, who raised 96 signatures for her petition on day one, said: “We paid an extra £125 for the Saturday to use VIP, on top of the normal ticket price. Other guests were just as furious and felt cheated.”
She said: “At previous Rewinds, up to 2017, we had use of a huge tepee marquee with a massive amount of covered inside space, with plenty of luxury seating, tables, sofas and even chandeliers.
“The cocktail bar had comfy outdoor seating and excellent views of the stage and screens.”
Ms Gatford, from Dundee, said there was a wall between the area and main arena, which created a sense of separation from the rest of the site.
“This year, there was lots of hype about it being an extra special year because it was Rewind’s 10th anniversary,” she said. “Straight away, we could see how dismal the VIP area was.
“There was just a normal fence separating it from the main area, and a huge expanse of a field, with just a field tent for a bar area and only a few cheap bench picnic tables for seating.”
She said: “I actually saw guests bringing in other tables from the main arena, while others went out to buy seats.”
A spokesman for Rewind said: “This year’s Rewind Scotland was our best yet and, once again, we’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who joined us at Scone Palace.
“We work hard to give everyone a brilliant weekend at Rewind and, as ever, we’re grateful for all the positive feedback we have received. The suggestions for improvement are, of course, equally important and help us maintain our high standards year after year.”
He added: “In particular, some changes made to the VIP area were less well received than others. Whilst the offering included everything that was advertised, plus other new elements, we accept that there were some differences to the way the area looked and the infrastructure provided in previous years.
“We’re in touch with everyone who has contacted us about this and we’re working on an appropriate way to remedy their concerns. We look forward to helping them have the VIP experience they have come to expect from Rewind in 2019.”
Organisers have insisted that the bar was “extensively stocked” with drinks not available elsewhere on site. They added there was enough seating for up to 300 people.