Some male fans attending a Last Dinner Party gig have expressed their outrage after being searched and questioned upon entry, claiming they felt “discriminated against” because they showed up alone.
The band was supposed to perform at The Engine Shed in Lincoln on Saturday, but illness forced them to cancel last-minute, after their supporting acts had played. The drama didn’t end there for some of the men who were less upset about missing the show and more riled up about being asked a few questions and undergoing a search at the door.
The men claim they were told if they did not consent to a search that they would be asked to leave. They also felt the questions were excessive and that they were unfairly singled out for attending solo.
In response, The Engine Shed issued an apology, explaining that the “ad hoc” policy was due to previous incidents at Last Dinner Party gigs. They also clarified their door policy requires everyone to be treated equally and subjected to the same entry procedures.
It seems a bit surprising that these particular fans – of a band known for its strong feminist themes in their lyrics, style, and visuals – might be oblivious to the risks women face at concerts, risks that far outweigh the inconvenience of a quick pat-down and a couple of questions. The irony, it seems, was completely lost on them.
Maybe these disgruntled fans should spend less time complaining about the ten extra minutes it took to get inside and more time reflecting on why such measures are even necessary. Instead of feeling personally attacked, perhaps they could consider the safety concerns women deal with daily – concerns far bigger than a brief delay at a gig.