THE first large-scale gig to be held at Fremantle Prison has been labelled a logistical farce, with many attendees demanding that organisers be thrown behind bars and the keys thrown away.

Fans streamed into the gaol last Saturday night to see Tex Perkins and the Tennessee Four’s sold-out gig in the southern half of the parade ground.

“Far from Folsom” was meant to replicate the excitement of Johnny Cash’s iconic concert at San Quentin in 1969, but it ended up being a Keystone Cops-like farce, with hordes taking to social media to voice displeasure:

“Tex was great, but too many people for the space, therefore, uncomfortable & difficult to see, bad sound, and crazily overpriced drinks. I went home and watched it on youtube to see what I missed! Overpriced and underwhelmed.” Susan Barratt.

“What a joke promoters got greedy over sold venue. So much for hearing dialogue let alone seeing Tex himself. Blocking the emergency exit also blocked our view! Shame, shame what’s your name! Refund please it’s the very least we deserve!” Brian Miller.

“All I saw was tent tops and banks of speakers, all we heard were angry crowds wanting an explanation. Left after the fourth song, deflated and very unhappy.” Jenni Stratford.

Fan Chris Binns had arrived home from overseas and had rushed to Wanneroo to buy a ticket for the show.

The gig-addict has seen countless bands across the globe—including the Rolling Stones, Pearl Jam and Metallica—and he reckons this was one of the worst he’s ever attended.

“It was a great idea to have the gig in the prison, but the stage was in the wrong position, stretching out the crowd sideways in a tight space,” he says.

“The sound was muffled and very low and you could hear people talking over the band.

“Add to that the extortionate bar prices—$24 for two cans of Jack Daniels plus a $2 eftpos charge—and it was a bad experience.”

The gig received a handful of supportive comments and prison director Bevan Beaver says the organisation will continue to host events that attract a wider audience to WA’s only world heritage listed building.

“The prison looks forward to working with concert promoters to bring more opportunities for the community to enjoy live performances in the unique setting and ambience of the prison complex,” he says.

Promoters Zaccaria Concerts and Touring declined to comment.

by STEPHEN POLLOCK