photos by Dominick Mastrangelo

"Fans started climbing fences after the grounds reached capacity (about 25,000 people), and SXSW badgeholders with VIP connections fought the same porto-john lines as all the riled-up Austin teens in attendance." -Star Tribune

Strokes fans @ SXSW

When people talk about last year's SXSW, they think back to Bill Murray taking an impromptu turn as a bartender at a hipster bar on Austin's east side. And when they look back on this year's SXSW, they'll remember getting maced at the surprise Death From Above 1979 reunion show.

The talk in Austin is all about whether or not SXSW Music has gotten too big for its skinny jeans. The mayhem at the free Strokes show Thursday night was merely a precursor to several meltdowns and accidents in the days that followed. At a late show Friday, synth-pop act OMD had just come on stage when one of their camera rigs collapsed and injured four in the audience (SXSW said it hadn't known about the filming ahead of time).

There were some truly ugly moments, too, and I'm glad I didn't witness any of them in person. Ben Weasal, a singer from the punk band Screeching Weasal, punched a female audience member in the face (she had spit some kind of liquid at him) and fought against a female staff member before being ejected by security at their showcase at the Scoot Inn on Saturday night. (The Los Angeles Times has a thorough report on the incident, and a video can be seen [below]). Weasal apologized today, and the band canceled their next show in San Antonio. [The Atlantic]

More pictures and videos (official Levi's ones included) from the charotic, big, free Strokes show (fireworks included), the Screeching Weasel punch video, and some news videos and stuff, below...

Continue reading "too many people went to see the Strokes @ SXSW (pics & video), Ben Weasel apologizes for punching girls"

"Had to cancel the free NYC show today because of a crazy audience that was braking things at the mixing board. -Z" - Hanson (about 7:20 pm)

"Police are shutting down the show at South Seaport! I'm on my way anyways...Drizzy Hendrix Woodstock 2010" - Drake (about 7:30pm)

"Hope everybody is able to stay calm and that things don't get out of hand. Again we are sorry that we could not play! -Isaac" - Hanson (about 7:30 pm)

"NYPD will not let me go on stage tonight" - Drake (around 7:32)

South Street Seaport around 7pm - June 15, 2010 (AON_Boss_Casino)

Hanson is supposed to be on stage performing as I type this. Ninjasonik played half a song. Drake is... on his way to the show? Hopefully everyone remains calm. No riots.

Some more pictures of the action (update: HERE.. and) unfolding below....

Continue reading "too many people showed up to see Drake & Hanson @ the Seaport - show shut down by police"

"Inglewood police dispatched a riot unit, and by 1:25 a.m. Sunday, more than 17,000 attendees had been sent home." -LA Times

Balcony climbin' @ Hard Summer '09 in L.A. Saturday night (downtownlobby)

A back door of the VIP section, where tickets began at $125, flew open and fans ran in from the parking lot in what [concert-goer Will] Fan described as a "stampede."

"We saw about 200 kids run right through the bar area," said the 35-year-old Sherman Oaks resident. "It was a little scary. I saw the bartender push one kid down, but everyone else just ran around him. Eventually, security was able to stop more people from coming in. But the kids ran out of the bar...and basically hopped over the balcony and onto the floor. Then the music stopped."

The sold-out all-night Hard Summer concert, which featured a lineup that included U.K. dance duo Underworld and Canadian electronic rockers Crystal Castles, was halted at about 10:50 p.m., according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department, which cited "hazardous life-safety things taking place inside the event."
[L.A. Times]

Hard Summer '09 @ L.A. Forum (beltran)

"We were required to shut down Hard Summer at The Forum Saturday [August 8th] night by the Los Angeles County Fire Department. They declared the event a "hazard" after seeing concert-goers jumping from the balcony to the floor. The Inglewood Police Department backed the decision of the Fire Department and assisted in clearing the venue.

While we, the promoters, worked with the authorities to consider other options to continue the concert, ultimately they made the decision to end it. We are happy to report that there were no major injuries.

We are offering refunds to all concert-goers and are deeply disappointed that the fans were not able to see this incredible show come to fruition." [official statement]

Underworld and Chromeo were among those who were supposed to play.

Hard Fest NYC is set to take place October 10th at Terminal 5 where we doubt any problems like that will happen. Crookers and Major Lazer (Soundsystem) headline, and tickets are still on sale.

LA refund info and the continued Hard Summer story with videos (showing people climbing, falling & jumping over railings and ledges), below...

Continue reading "chaos at HARD Fest LA causes shut down - people broke in, climbed over balconies, etc (VIDEOS) --- refunds available"