Audiences were left "angry and disappointed" after a Christmas concert plagued with technical and logistical problems was hosted at Chester Cathedral last night (December 17).

Guests were reportedly left arguing with each other over seats, sat with no view despite paying for VIP seating and then unable to hear the music due to the poor sound system at the XXL Christmas Concert.

Many audience members - who had paid £25 for a VIP ticket or £18 for standard admission - simply left early, and Chester Cathedral has been forced to release a statement distancing itself from event organiser Skyline Events.

"The event 'The XXL Christmas Carol Concert' this evening fell far beneath the quality we expect of an event taking place here at Chester Cathedral," a statement from the cathedral said.

"This event was organised by a third party, and the cathedral merely the venue.

"However, our commercial and events teams were on the ground attempting to help the organiser to improve both the organisation and performance of the event for all of those attending.

"We stand beside you in your disappointment and urge you to contact the organiser with any feedback or requests you may have."

Issues with ticket sales meant that some seats were double booked (Nub News)

Billed as a charity event to raise money for Ronald McDonald House, Cash For Kids and Alder Hey Hospital, the concert left a bitter taste in the mouths of guests.

Local choir, Connected Voices, was invited by the organisers to perform, but has also expressed its disappointment with how the event was handled. 

Director, Anthony Seaman, explained to Chester Nub News that issues with ticket sales and seating had instantly set the night off on a bad note.

He said: "We were very excited to perform in such a wonderful venue.

"The choir had nothing to do with ticket sales or promotions, we were just booked basically to just come and perform in the space.

"I don't know exactly what happened but there was a mix up with ticket sales, so that left some people basically arguing over who would be sat in what seats.

"That was the first of the issues, which is obviously not a great way to start the night."

This was followed by issues with the sound system which meant audience members were not able to hear the singers, with backing tracks drowning them out in certain parts of the cathedral. Meanwhile, choir members were actually unable to hear what they were singing along to.

Mr Seaman said he was "proud" of how his choir handled the situation and said the audience members whose experience was not ruined by the tech had appreciated what they saw.

"I think most people understood that what went on wasn't the choir's responsibility," he added.

"It's very disappointing. We were really looking forward to giving a great show and we are very, very capable of giving a great show. 

"Unfortunately we just weren't able to give a great number of people in that room the show that they were expecting.

The choir in attendance, Connected Voices, expressed their dissapointment at how the event turned out (Nub News)

"A lot of work goes on behind the scenes in terms of just organising the choir, getting them there, getting them on stage and getting them ready. 

"So there's a lot of work that we did, to the best of our ability, but unfortunately we just weren't able to overcome the obstacles.

"At the end of the night we got a standing ovation from some sections of the audience which were left.

"A lot of people were very angry and disappointed, so to have that associated with the choir in any way is just really disappointing because I don't think it was deserved."

One Facebook user who described the event as 'the worst production ever', said: "I feel so sorry for the choir who were brilliant without the sound!"

Another commented on the statement released by the cathedral, as he said: "Absolute shambles and I feel like I've been well and truly scammed."

On the same post, a member of the choir added: "Believe me we were as disappointed as you were to not be able to perform to our usual exceptional standard. The sound system was appalling and we couldn't hear the tracks!"

Skyline Events has been contacted for comment.