Well, the night started off with a huge line at the Groove Tickets will call stations. Never in my life have I waited this long to get will call tickets. As usual, sub-par event security were doing nothing to control line cutting and gate hopping — but it is as expected. It took about an hour to get my tickets (and we cut twice). Angie and I met this really chill couple in line as we joked about our outrageous predicament and all the under-aged kids surrounding us. When I got my ticket we hopped into the actual line to get into the Forum; another wait ensued — approximately 45 minutes of crunch time. The second we got through security, I received a text from Cris saying they stopped the show. I asked around, people said the crowd was getting to rowdy so they stopped to let the crowd settle. The truth of the matter is, the fire marshal would not let the show continue until people cleared the first five rows around the entire venue. People were jumping off the stands because they would not let people down on the floor — it was extremely packed when we got there, and a steady stream of people kept flowing in. In my honest opinion they simply overbooked The Forum. Moreover, it was an all-ages event, which I don’t fully comprehend — cut out all the under-aged kids and it would have been a blast! So, the house lights came on at about 11:30pm~12am and event security started clearing out the venue; event cancelled.
When they started clearing out the show, they brought in the Inglewood Police Department and their riot squad. There was a mini dance party that flowed from the parking lot onto the sidewalk, so helicopters were circling around telling people it was an illegal congregation and that they had to leave or arrests would be made. We were one of the last to leave in our car from the parking lot, it was pretty much grid locked for 3 square blocks around The Forum.
After we left, Angie and I found an AM/PM (“Too much good stuff”), and parked the car to chat for a bit. At that point of the night, having heard virtually no music, we were left with only our hearts to carry the beat.
Upon checking the Hardfest website early this morning, they stated:
We are terribly sorry. LAFD and Inglewood PD made the decision to shut down the event tonight. There are many questions to answer; rest assured you will be receiving your refunds. Please check back soon for more details. The show must go on…
I have videos I want to post on YouTube. Stay tuned for those.
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