SEVENTEEN’s recent concert in the Philippines, a part of their FOLLOW tour, promised excitement but ended up delivering a series of organizational mishaps and safety issues, primarily due to Live Nation PH’s management. CARATs had eagerly anticipated the event, but their excitement quickly turned to frustration and concern.
@kyesees Sobrang kawawa ang carats 😭😡 #svt #followtobulacan #seventeeninbulacan #hallyutalkph
CARATs’ troubles
The troubles began early on the day of the concert. Live Nation PH sent out last-minute reminders about queuing policies. Some fans argued that these reminders should have been sent earlier to prevent miscommunication, particularly due to potential language barriers. Live Nation PH issued the reminders in English, prompting some fans to remind the organizer that not all international fans are fluent in English. They noted that it would take time for translators to translate these reminders. There was also confusion regarding the implementation of the no re-entry policy, including when and where it would apply, as entering the venue involved multiple steps.
When fans lined up for entry and strapping, they ended up waiting in unmoving lines for hours. This put many in danger of being late to the soundcheck or missing it altogether. That would’ve been a shame, as the soundcheck is a key part of the concert experience and fans pay extra to watch it. The soundcheck started on time, but due to the queuing issues, plenty of fans didn’t make it inside the venue until after it had begun. Furthermore, in the area where fans were supposed to line up, a sign attached to the ceiling came loose at one end. If it had fallen, someone would’ve been injured.
Accessibility issues and discrimination also surfaced. In a particularly troubling incident, a CARAT reported that her sister was denied access through the PWD (persons with disabilities) entrance. The staff reportedly dismissed her sister’s need for special access because “she looked okay,” a remark that blatantly disregards the challenges faced by individuals with invisible disabilities.
@big.chimchim 2 Carats po ang sumama ang pakiramdam after ng performance ng Fire. Sana po okay lang kayo 🙏🏼 #seventeeninbulacan #followtourinbulacan @seventeen17_official
SEVENTEEN intervened
The venue’s layout only added to the fans’ grievances. Fans in specific seated sections found their view obstructed by the large control booth. Despite paying full price for their tickets, they had a limited view of the stage compared to those in other sections. The pit areas also posed a problem due to their limited space, leading to overcrowding. Furthermore, it appeared that Live Nation PH didn’t have sufficient staff monitoring these areas to ensure fans’ safety.
Environmental conditions contributed to the discomfort. The temperature hovered in the mid to high 80s Fahrenheit (around 30 to 31 Celsius). High humidity also exacerbated the heat. This was intensified by the body heat from the densely packed crowd in the pit areas. To make matters worse, fans weren’t allowed to buy water outside and bring it into the venue. Inside, water was scarce, especially for those in the pit areas, raising concerns about dehydration.
SEVENTEEN’s members themselves took notice of the fans’ plight and intervened. During the soundcheck, Seungkwan requested that staff distribute water to fans who had been waiting in the sun for hours. Although he wasn’t feeling well himself—a fact that fans learned later when he had to leave the stage midway through the show—he prioritized CARATs’ welfare. Meanwhile, Hoshi took measures to cool down the fans by splashing water on them.
@horanghae.kwonsoonyoung hindi pa day 2 pero look at this 😭 #seventeeninbulacan #followtobulacan #seventeen #fyp
The main event
Later, during the main event, Hoshi was shocked to learn that fans didn’t have easy access to water. The situation took a serious turn when a fan fainted during the concert. The members immediately sprang into action, with Joshua calling for help and the group distributing water bottles from the stage. They also urged CARATs to spread out to ease the crowded conditions, demonstrating their ongoing concern for the audience’s wellbeing.
Finally, a row of seats sustained significant damage, yet there was no acknowledgment or response from Live Nation PH. Notably, all these incidents occurred on the first day of the two-day event.
While the chance to see SEVENTEEN live was a dream come true for many, the experience was severely marred by Live Nation PH’s shortcomings in ensuring safety and managing the event. These organizational failures underscore the need for improved planning in future events. – K-Pop News Writer
Featured Image: Because of its lapses, CARATS are calling Live Nation PH the “worst concert organizer.” Sources: X/@livenationph, X/@shieventeen17.