Simply the Worst! Posh festival organiser hits out at ‘duff’ Tina Turner X Factor star tribute act who was so ‘woefully underprepared’ she had to resort to singing Amy Winehouse instead
- Angry Lymington Seafood Festival organiser said she sang Womack songs too
- Richard Nowell wants ‘small fortune’ he paid for Niqi Brown’s performance refunded
The organiser of an award-winning upmarket seafood festival claims he booked a ‘duff’ Tina Turner tribute act who was so ‘woefully underprepared’ she sang Amy Winehouse and Womack and Womack songs.
Furious Richard Nowell is demanding a refund after spending a ‘small fortune’ on former X-Factor finalist Niqi Brown to appear as the Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll.
He had high hopes ahead of her performance at his boutique Lymington Seafood Festival in the Hampshire New Forest which was attended by more than 10,000 people last weekend.
But festival goers – who had spent the day in the coastal Georgian market town feasting on oysters, mussels, monkfish, scallop and tuna tacos – were left underwhelmed by her ‘terrible’ Saturday night headline act.
Mr Nowell is now asking for his money back, after the ‘woefully underprepared’ Tina tribute turned up 20 minutes late and ‘padded out’ her performance with songs from other singers.
Festival organiser, Richard Nowell, said the former X Factor contestant turned Tina Turner tribute act, Niqi Brown (pictured) was ‘woefully underprepared’ with festival goers calling her performance ‘terrible’
Mr Nowell revealed he is pursuing a refund after spending a ‘small fortune’ on former X-Factor contestant Niqi Brown (pitcured)
Having run the festival with wife, Domine, for seven years the 47 year old said this year’s tribute act left a lot to be desired compared to previous successes.
He said: ‘We were really disappointed. They were unrehearsed and the lead singer’s only resemblance to Tina Turner was a wig.
‘Two years ago we had Ultimate Elton, who was absolutely fantastic. He looked just like him, but sounded like him too.
‘And then last year we had a great Queen tribute act.
‘Unfortunately, this year we booked a bit of a duff one in Tina Turner.
‘They seemed to be unrehearsed and were woefully underprepared – I don’t think she knew her whole material.’
Having booked 2015 X-Factor finalist Niqi Brown, Mr Nowell admitted he shared the view of many festival-goers who were left less than impressed at the sham Nutbush Queen.
‘People have said how disappointed they are, but trust me I’m more disappointed.’
He added: ‘I paid a small fortune for her and she started 20 minutes late.
‘She was supposed to do a 90 minute set, but only managed one hour and 10 minutes and she sang a Womack & Womack song and Valerie by Amy Winehouse.
‘I’m sure they’re not songs by Tina Turner, so that was a bit of padding out.’
Ms Brown (pictured alongside Simon Cowell) starred in Season 12 of X Factor but got the boot in the Week 1 of the live shows
Mr Nowell said the tribute act ‘padded out her performance with songs from other singers, after turning up to the gig 20 minutes late
He revealed he is in the process of negotiating a refund with the booking company, and said: ‘We are obviously not very happy and going to have an adult conversation with them.
‘We booked an act in good faith, which we feel was substandard. Therefore, we’re well within our rights to ask for a refund.’
Mr Nowell’s dissatisfaction emerged following a row with festival goers about whether the organisers were being ‘greedy’ by charging a £10 entry fee for Saturday night and £6 for the other days.
‘To all the people moaning…for less than a pint of beer we put on a whole weekend of entertainment and great food.
‘If you don’t like the event or want to pay £6, then don’t come. Find something else to do. The festival costs more than £50,000 to put on. It takes us months to organise and it is a huge logistical operation.’
Visitor Nick Keep replied: ‘Tina Turner Tribute was awful – if you can’t accept criticism then maybe you shouldn’t run a festival.’
Local resident Jackie Trudgill commented: ‘I think it’s a shame this festival is highly criticised by the local people. I think we’re lucky to have it in our area.
‘I have been a couple of times now and thoroughly enjoyed it.
‘Okay, Tina simply ‘wasn’t’ the best but last years act, Queen, was a hard act to follow.’
Deborah Topp, who also attended was left wondering which tribute act she can look forward to seeing, adding: ‘Well, I loved it.
‘The atmosphere was buzzing, everyone was friendly and up for having a good time.
‘It’s a great little festival. I can’t wait till next year’s. Looking forward to finding out who the tribute act will be. My guess is Bowie? It would be amazing to have Led Zeppelin.’
Mr Nowell, who moved to Lymington with his wife and business partner 12 years ago, has enjoyed throwing the festival since their first one in 2017.
Lymington Seafood festivalgoers, who had spent their day feasting on oysters, mussels, monkfish, scallop and tuna tacos, were left underwhelmed, with one saying, ‘Tina simply ‘wasn’t’ the best’
Mr Nowell said: ‘Lymington has a rich history of seafood, it used to be one of the largest oyster fisheries in the UK and have a thriving fishing port.
‘That has obviously lost its way now, but the town has those links to seafood.
‘It’s worthy of a festival and that was the reason we started it.’
On plans for next year, Mr Nowell said: ‘We’ll sit down in September and start planning everything and see what 2024 has in store.
‘Whether it’s going to be David Bowie, Rod Stewart or ABBA – I’ll tell you one thing though, it definitely won’t be Tina Turner.’
Niqi Brown, who performs as Tina Turner, has been approached for comment.
A spokesman for her booking agency said: ‘We don’t wish to make a comment as we weren’t present at the event.
‘On the very rare occasion where we are made aware of any complaint we take it very seriously and we stay neutral until the facts are obtained.
‘We work closely with the client and the act to ensure a satisfactory resolution to any dispute is resolved as quickly as possible. ‘
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