Hundreds of music fans left early from the opening night of the new Live at Melbourne Hall festival after facing delays of up to two hours to buy drinks, with some describing the event as an "absolute shambles".
What happened on night one
Revellers at Crow Park on the Melbourne Hall estate reported lengthy queues at the bars on Friday (July 24), which meant many missed scheduled acts including DJs Jo Whiley, Gary Davies and Toby Spin. Several ticket-holders said they gave up waiting and went to pubs in nearby Melbourne instead.
Organisers, listed as RG Live and connected to Raymond Gubbay Ltd (owned by Sony Music), acknowledged the problems and told attendees they were increasing bar capacity for the remaining two nights of the three‑day event.
"An absolute shambles"
Background and licensing
South Derbyshire District Council granted a premises licence in May 2025 allowing Melbourne Hall to host music festivals with capacities of up to 5,000, though the proposal submitted by Raymond Gubbay Ltd specified a maximum attendance of 4,999 and one three‑day event per year. The council’s decision followed concerns from local residents over noise and parking.
Line‑up affected and forthcoming acts
Acts confirmed for the weekend include:
- Friday (already performed): Jo Whiley (DJ set), Gary Davies, Toby Spin
- Saturday: The Lightning Seeds, Riding the Low, Propaganda DJs
- Sunday: The Shires, Ward Thomas, Catherine McGrath, Minna
Organisers have been receiving numerous questions and complaints on the festival’s Facebook page about whether the same issues will recur over the weekend.
Advice for ticket‑holders
Organisers say they are working to rectify the situation; ticket‑holders should monitor official festival communications for updates. Those attending over the weekend may wish to allow extra time for arrival and consider refreshments and travel options in advance.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Live at Melbourne Hall – Day 1 (opening night) | 24 July 2026 |
| Day 2 | 25 July 2026 |
| Day 3 | 26 July 2026 |
The festival takes place in Crow Park on the Melbourne Hall estate and was approved for a one‑event licence after organisers said on‑site parking would be free and that traffic management plans would be provided by experienced contractors. Local residents previously raised concerns about noise and parking during the licensing process.
InfoRadar will continue to monitor statements from RG Live and South Derbyshire District Council and report any further developments affecting attendees and local residents.
