A small music venue has hit back at the abuse from music fans who were unable to get tickets to see Rag 'n' Bone Man.

Tickets to see the singer, whose hits include Human and Giant, at the Tunbridge Wells Forum this summer sold out in less than a minute.

The gig is part of #ReviveLive, an initiative by the Music Venue Trust with the National Lottery helping to promote music venues across the country which have been hard hit by restrictions and enforced closures.

As part of the tour, ticket holders can apply to take someone with them for free, if they are a National Lottery player.

Tickets for Rag 'n' Bone Man's gig went on sale at 8pm last night.

Tunbridge Wells Forum reminded fans, on its Facebook page, prior to the tickets going on sale that it was just a 250 capacity venue and, with the tickets being a two-for-one set up, it warned they could sell out within minutes or, even, seconds.

Taking to the social media platform later last night, the venue said tickets for the star had sold out in less than one minute, which led to some abuse from disappointed followers.

A spokesman said: "Well, despite making it clear how few tickets were going on sale, we still managed to cop some abuse online and in emails for Rag 'n' Bone Man selling out in less than a minute.

"Also some quite cute conspiracy theories too. We promise you, we haven't got the time or energy for such things.

"Yes, there was a pre-sale. We sold a small number of tickets in advance to The Forum Members Club. These are people that, over the last 16 months, have supported our venue financially so it could stay open so that you now could come to a venue that still exists.

"The option to even have someone like Rag 'n' Bone Man play was able to happen because of the big hearts of our community that supported us and we are beyond delighted to give them a first look at tickets for their generous support of The Forum."

He added: "The remaining tickets went online at 8pm and, yes, ultimately, the people who clicked at the right moment to see an artist that can play to many, many thousands were the ones that got the opportunity to buy tickets.

"Music venues are back and they need your support, not abuse..."

"We had thousands of people hit a website link for a fraction of the tickets to supply the demand.

"We understand that the vast majority of people understood that there was only a small chance they would get tickets and there was an even smaller amount that decided the best thing to do was bark at a small number of staff at a small venue that are now setting up to open our doors on July 19th.

"There was no conspiracies. If you managed to get a ticket - see you at the show.

"If you didn't, sorry that's the case but head to the website and see what else is on. Music venues are back and they need your support, not abuse."

Frank Turner is to kick off the Revive Live campaign in Kent with an appearance at Tunbridge Wells Forum on Tuesday, July 20, followed by Ren Harvieu at Ashford's Revelation on Saturday, August 14 before moving on to Deal's The Lighthouse the following night.

Rag 'n' Bone Man will make his eagerly-anticipated appearance at Tunbridge Wells Forum on Monday, August 23.

Grandmas House are scheduled for Margate's Elsewhere Record Store on Tuesday, September 14 before heading to Tunbridge Wells Forum the following Tuesday (September 21).

Night Flight will be at The Britannia Inn, Margate on Friday, September 17, Do Nothing will be at Ramsgate Music Hall, also on Friday, September 17, and Bob Vylan will be at Tunbridge Wells Forum on Saturday, September 18.

Pip Blom will follow on Thursday, September 30 at Ramsgate Music Hall.

For more information on the event, click here.

Read more: All the latest news from Tunbridge Wells