Brand fans left fuming over free gig

Russell Brand fans have been left fuming after waiting for hours for a free, semi-secret gig – only to be turned away at the door.

The comic held a low-key show at London’s Soho Revue Bar last night to launch his live DVD – and invited fans who had signed up as his friends on the MySpace networking website to attend.

Some waited outside for up to three hours to see the Channel 4 star – but were still turned away when the 200-seater venue reached capacity.

Brand came outside and chatted to the crowd, and gave away signed copies of the DVD, but many people were still left disappointed at wasting their time.

The main complaint in was that a VIP guest list was given priority over genuine fans, and the crowd even booed A-lister Sadie Frost for jumping the queue ahead of them.

One of many disgruntled messages left on Brand’s MySpace page, said: ‘Thanks for nothing. We queued for three hours in the freezing cold and rain to be used as photographic fodder for nothing more than a cynical publicity stunt.

Rachel added: ‘A pretty weak attempt by you at redeeming yourself too, by gracing us with your half-hearted presence for all of five minutes, signing the odd DVD and blowing air kisses in a feeble attempt to make up for it. You have lost an army of fans tonight Russell.’

Another fan, Candice Ayrey, said: ‘When you advertise a gig for your fans for a 200 capacity venue and let 150 guest list in, disappointment doesn't cover it.’

Ryan, who waited two-and-a-half hours in vain, said: ‘Next time don't have a big guest list for all your new celebrity friends. I liked you better on the skag - when you weren't a B-list celebrity.'

Kevo said: ‘Although it was nice of you to greet the faithful who turned out and grace them with a signed DVD, the organisers should have been a bit more upfront about the unrealistic prospect of getting in to see the show. Three hours in the cold, mate. Not on.’

However others were more understanding.

Ria added: ‘Me and my friend came to the show last night and couldn’t get in. We arrived at 5:30pm and were told at 9pm that we weren't getting in. We got to speak to Russell and grabbed a free DVD so we was not too disappointed but he might want to have a word with his PR team. This may have lost him a few fans.’

Victoria said: ‘Brand has always tried to please fans and just because he misjudged something should not mean you turn your back on him. Any small, gig usually leaves a lot of disappointment.’ And DJ Omen added: ‘I thought it was very good of you to come out to see us, pose for pictures and give us all signed DVDs’

Before the event, MySpace vice-resident Jamie Kantrowitz - whose company organsied the gig - did warn: 'Russell is a phenomenon. He's collected 30,000 friends on MySpace, so demand for this show is going to be huge.’

Those fans who did get to see the hour-long gig said it was ‘shit hot’ and a ‘top show’.

Brand spoke for around an hour – about half of it comprising material not on the DVD that was recorded at Shepherds Bush Empire earlier this year – then mingled with those who had managed to get in, posing for pictures.

Clips of the show should be posted on Russell’s MySpace page later.

The DVD was released by Universal yesterday. Click here to buy it

Published: 21 Nov 2006