Two night camp to see Daniel O’Donnell

Mar 3 2009 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

Two night camp to see Daniel O’Donnell

DIEHARD Daniel O’Donnell fans caused consternation by bedding down for two nights to snap-up prime seats for the Irish crooner’s sell-out show in Perth.

But Bridge of Earn couple Maureen and Jim Findlayson yesterday insisted their long wait was worth every minute.

Long-time Daniel fans, they began queuing outside Perth Concert Hall on Thursday at lunchtime, determined to be among the first to secure front row seats for his June appearance. The box office didn’t open until Saturday morning.

Maureen said: “We were camping out for two nights but it was worth it. We’ve been following Daniel for more than 20 years. We go everywhere on tour. We have been all over the country and went to his hotel in Ireland for holidays and New Year. We never thought we’d see him in Perth – he usually plays much bigger venues. This will be special. He told us last year he wanted to play Perth.

“Daniel is special, of course he is. We know him well and he is different from other stars. And we just love his music.”

Knowing tickets would be limited for a rare appearance in a city where Daniel holidayed as a child – and where he still has many relatives – the Findlaysons joined dedicated fans from Ayrshire at the head of the queue for the June 15 concert.

Maureen said: “We knew each other from previous concerts. Daniel has a really dedicated fan base. There were a lot of familiar faces in the line. Some had come up from England.”

The Findlaysons sang the praises of Perth Concert Hall staff who kept the venue open to allow fans to use the facilities.

Maureen, who worked in Frews for nearly 40 years, said: “We are veterans of queuing for tickets to see Daniel and had all our camping gear. The Perth staff were wonderful. They even came out with teas, coffees and soup to keep us warm. They were lovely and tops for hospitality.

“We have queued for tickets at the Albert Hall and other venues in the past and definitely wanted front row seats for the Perth show. It’s his only one in Scotland. There’s no way we’d have missed it.”

Clutching the prized £35 tickets, Maureen said: “People can be unkind and don’t understand us - but I don’t care what they think anymore!”

A Horsecross spokeswoman confirmed overnight campers ensured the O’Donnell gig had become one of the hall's fastest-selling shows.

She said all the tickets had been snapped up by 2pm on the day of sale.

Only a previous T in the Park sale at the Concert Hall had generated a similar queue for tickets – but it was being staged at Balado.