Manchester music lovers and football fans will have the ultimate decision to make next Saturday, if a suitable solution can’t be found. It comes as Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott’s AO Arena show is set to clash with the England vs France World Cup match on December 10.
Beautiful South singer Paul took to Twitter to explain the dilemma, confirming that the band are ‘working on plans’ to show the match during the gig - but not everyone is happy about it.
Kick off for the match is 7pm, with doors for the arena opening at 7.30pm. While the game should be over by the time Paul and Jacqui take to the stage at 9pm, it would certainly clash with support act Billy Bragg.
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Paul tweeted: “To all of our fans in Manchester who still want to listen to the dulcet tones of Paul & Jacqui, but might prefer not to miss the youthful looks of Jack Grealish - we're working on plans to show the football next Saturday - we'll keep you posted.”
Fan Rachel McCann begged Paul not to ‘ruin the show’ added: “I'll be wanting my money back if I'm going to see football rather than the music!” But Paul responded: “We won't. We just have to make sure the place isn't half full.”
Another ticketholder, PhillD, pleaded with him to ‘do the right thing’ not to show the football, writing: “Some of us fans follow St Pauli, so you will get that peoples' lives are bigger than football dictating. Pls do the right thing. Those now selling their tickets at less than face value on Twickets, more genuine fans can go at even less cost. That should please you. See ya Sat.”
“I'm trying to do the 'right thing',” the Housemartins’ frontman replied. “But one person's right thing is another's wrong thing.”
Lynne Naylor added: “Pretty simple really. Anyone who wants to watch the footie can drop their ticket to the gig into a box by the door of the arena for fans who weren't able to get a gig ticket to pick up on their way in. When they're gone, they're gone.”
Paul explained that he’d pointed the issue out to management ‘weeks ago’ and have ‘been worried since’.
Some followers, like Peter Burnham, think Paul should show the game on the big screen, suggesting: “Show it on a screen, no sound. I can watch the gig, listen to the music and follow the footy. It’s called multitasking.”
But even that’s not a perfect solution, with Paul adding: “That would be ok but with a big arena like Manchester we need the screens for those sat in Row Z.”
Catherine Morrison suggested the World Cup match be rescheduled, commenting: “Surely the officials in Qatar should be informed of this heinous scheduling conflict. You were booked first, it should be them who reschedule! Stand your ground.”
So, what is the solution? And how do you feel about the game potentially being shown at the gig? Would it be the ideal solution, or ruin the atmosphere for you? Let us know in the comments below.
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