Fans refused entry to The Vaccines gig for not knowing singer's name or band's albums

Several gig-goers were reported denied entry to see The Vaccines at their recent gig in Llandudno because they couldn’t give the name of the band’s lead singer.

The incident in question occurred at the indie outfit’s Welsh gig at Venue Cymru on Monday night (6 May), with Andy Bellis telling Wales Online that he and friends with subject to grilling from the venue’s security staff.

“We queued up for a good half hour and give our tickets at the door,” the punter told reporters. ” we’re pulled aside to get searched and the security guy asks if I know the lead singer and could I name their two albums and some songs.”

“I couldn’t think off the top of my head so they kicked us out, took the tickets off us and said we couldn’t watch the band because we didn’t know enough information about them.”

It turns out the measures were part of an anti-touting and crime procedure being implemented that evening. A spokesman for the venue wrote in a statement: “ made aware that pickpockets may attempt to operate in the arena during The Vaccines gig. In order to ensure the safety and security of our customers we carried out random checks of those in the queue. As a result six people were refused admission and a further two people were ejected from the building. Security were working closely with the police and licensing officers throughout the evening”.

Bellis says he’s approached the venue for answers but has so far received none. “I’ve made a complaint to the venue asking for a refund as there was no other reason I wasn’t allowed in,” he added. “I’m actually a big fan of the band. Just because I couldn’t name the singer or the songs or what underwear they we were wearing last September is irrelevant. How did people discover bands before the internet and everything else?”

The Vaccines, fronted by Justin ‘Jay Jay Pistolet’ Young, released their latest album Come of Age last year.