Dozens of music fans have expressed their anger and disappointment after attending a concert by singer Heather Small at Manchester Cathedral, which they claim was severely mis-sold.
A Night of Frustration at Manchester Cathedral
The event, part of the Echoes live music series which has previously featured acts like Peter Andre and the Vengaboys, took place on Saturday, November 29. Attendees paid over £40 per ticket but were left feeling short-changed by an extremely brief performance.
Heather Small, famed for hits such as Proud and Moving On Up, did not take to the stage until after 10pm. She then performed for a total of just 25 minutes to a backing track before leaving. Many in the audience have been quick to state that their frustration is directed not at the singer herself, but squarely at the event organisers, JBM Music, for failing to disclose the expected length of her set.
Fan Accounts of a Disorganised Event
One concert-goer, Glenn Cosgrove-Zdunczyk, 43, travelled from Cumbria with his partner. He described a poorly managed evening where doors opened at 6pm with last entry at 8pm, but the main act did not appear for hours. "We saw her car pull up at about 9.50pm," he said. "She came on at 10.20pm, sang for 25 minutes to a backing track and off she went."
He also highlighted issues with the venue setup, noting the all-standing format was unsuitable for many of Heather Small's older fans, and described security staff pushing past attendees. "This is not on Heather," Glenn emphasised. "They push the narrative that it is Heather Small in concert when that’s not what it is." He believes refunds should be offered.
Gilles Hubbard, 30, from Manchester, attended with his partner and a friend from Birmingham. He reported a lack of information from staff, with security having no knowledge of set times. The in-house DJ's music, he said, did not match the expected demographic. "All of a sudden at around 10.15pm with no introduction, she comes on," Gilles recounted. After what they thought was an early big hit, she announced her third song would be the last. "We thought she was having a laugh," he added.
Widespread Complaints and Calls for Action
Attempts to lodge complaints on the night were reportedly futile, with security citing other incidents and directing people to email. On the way out, Gilles noted many other attendees were complaining about the lengthy wait and short performance.
Online reviews echo this frustration. On Skiddle, Paul Turner wrote: "Heather Small came on stage at 10.15pm and sang 5 songs and finished 10.35pm . Felt totally ripped off." On the organiser's Facebook page, Helen Claire Lyon posted: "Live in concert with 'Heather Small' 20 min cameo! Absolutely diabolical. #Refund."
The Manchester Evening News has approached JBM Music for a comment regarding the numerous complaints. For now, fans who made significant journeys and paid premium ticket prices are left feeling let down by an event they believe was not as advertised.
