Concert-goers have encountered a fault with the Ticketek app that has delayed them entering the 2025 Laneway Festival at Western Springs. Video / Rachel Maher
A ticketing malfunction at Auckland’s Laneway Festival today has left thousands of concert-goers frustrated and angry as they face long queues to enter the Western Springs venue - with some “absolutely gutted” after missing their favourite acts.
Concert-goers have reported widespread faults in the Ticketek app used to access the Laneway tickets, with reports people have been trying to load their tickets for more than an hour.
Nearly two hours after the gates opened at 12.30pm, thousands of people were in line at the box office.
“A lot of people are standing in the sun outside the venue staring at their phones and trying to use the failing app. There is a lot of frustration, swearing,” one man said.
“Most fans are targeting rising British star Olivia Dean whose set starts at 3pm. It looks like a lot of people will miss out, which is a shame after paying $200 for a ticket,” one concertgoer said.
Several Olivia Dean fans have expressed disappointment to be missing the artist they came to see.
“We got here with plenty of time, I’m absolutely gutted. She still sounds good from the line, but it’s not the same. I spent a lot of money on today,” one person said.
Concertgoers queuing to to get into today's Laneway Festival at Western Springs, Auckland.
In an “important message” on the Laneway app posted at 1.06pm, concertgoers were told if they can’t see their ticket barcode on the Ticketek App, they should head to the box office which would be able to assist with entry to the festival.
“See you soon,” the message said.
It is now being reported that people are being let into the festival with an email confirmation without having to scan their ticket.
The gates for the 20th edition of the popular music festival opened at 12.30pm with the first act on stage at 12.40pm. The event finishes at 10pm.
Traffic around the Western Springs venue has also been described as “absolutely nuts”.
An Instagram story posted on Laneway Festival NZ’s profile apologised for the ticketing issue and said at about 2.45pm it had been resolved.
“We apologise that the Ticketek App went down and caused issues with ticket access, this should now be resolved and tickets are appearing in the app. All ticketholders’ tickets have also now been sent out via email to access as a backup. Please be patient, we will work quickly to ensure entry into the festival.”
About 4pm today a Ticketek spokesperson acknowledged the fault.
”Ticketek apologises to any fan who may have experienced a delay in accessing their tickets for the Laneway Festival in Auckland. The issue impacted a small number of fans who had not saved their tickets in their digital wallets and was resolved earlier today.”
Concert-goers at Auckland’s Laneway Festival face long queues to get into the venue at Western Springs due to a ticket glitch. Photo / Rachel Maher
Concert-goers at Auckland’s Laneway Festival face long queues to get into the venue at Western Springs due to a ticket glitch. Photo / Bonnie Jansen
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