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The ten largest concert disasters in music history
The ten largest concert disasters: concerts and festivals that cost human lives
1. The Altamont Free Concert (1969)
The Altamont Free Concert, organized by the Rolling Stones, should become the “Woodstock of the West”. But the dream of peace and music turned into chaos. On December 6, 1969, over 300,000 people gathered on the Altamont Speedway in California. The Hells Angels were hired as security forces, which turned out to be a fatal mistake. During the appearance of the Rolling Stones, 18-year-old Meredith Hunter was stabbed after he was seen in the crowd with a weapon. The security situation was catastrophic and the events were immortalized in the documentary “Gimme Shelter”.
The ten largest concert disasters in music history
2. The WHO in Cincinnati (1979)
On December 3, 1979 played The Who A concert in Cincinnati, Ohio. Due to an uncoordinated admission, thousands of fans flocked at the same time through a few open doors of the Riverfront Coliseum. There was a mass panic in which eleven people were trampled to death. The band only learned from the tragedy after the show.
The ten largest concert disasters in music history
3. Roskilde Festival (2000)
The Danish Roskilde Festival was the scene of one of the worst disasters in festival history. During a performance by Pearl Jam on June 30, 2000, the crowd pushed forward, which led to nine people suffocated or crushed. Despite the rapid reaction of the band and the organizer, the tragedy could not be prevented.
The ten largest concert disasters in music history
4. Station Nightclub Fire (2003)
On February 20, 2003, a devastating fire broke out during an appearance by the band Great White in the Nightclub station in West Warwick, Rhode Island. Pyrotechnic effects inflamed the foam of soundproofing, which led to a flame inferno. The escape routes were overcrowded within minutes. 100 people died, 230 were injured.
The ten largest concert disasters in music history
5. Love Parade Duisburg (2010)
The Loveparade, once a peaceful technoparade, ended on July 24, 2010 in Duisburg in a disaster. Due to lack of space and inadequate escape routes, there was a fatal crowd in the access area. 21 people died, more than 500 were injured. The tragedy led to the end of the event.
The ten largest concert disasters in music history
6. Astroworld Festival (2021)
On November 5, 2021, at the Astroworld Festival in Houston, Texas, a mass panic occurred during an appearance by Travis Scott. Ten people died, hundreds were injured. Critics accused the artist and the organizers of not taking the danger seriously. Videos showed how the show continued despite obvious emergencies.
The ten largest concert disasters in music history
7. Pukkelpop Festival (2011)
The Belgian Pukkelpop Festival was surprised by a serious storm on August 18, 2011. Huge storms and falling debris destroyed stages and tents. Five people died, more than 140 were injured. The organizers came under criticism because they had not canceled the event despite the weather warnings.
The ten largest concert disasters in music history
8. Indiana State Fair (2011)
On August 13, 2011, a stage of the Indiana State Fair collapsed in Indianapolis due to strong gusts of wind, shortly before the band Sugarland was to appear. Seven people died, over 50 were injured. An investigation showed that the stage did not meet the security standards.
The ten largest concert disasters in music history
9. Bataan Stampede (2006)
On February 4, 2006, one of the most fatal mass panics occurred in Manila, Philippines. At the opening of a popular TV show, concerts dedicated to over 30,000 people tried to get a place. The crowds led to 73 deaths and more than 800 injured.
The ten largest concert disasters in music history
10. Madrid Arena (2012)
On November 1, 2012, a mass panic occurred at a Halloween party in the Madrid Arena after a smoke bomb was ignited. Five young women were crushed. Overcrowding and missing emergency outputs were decisive factors for the tragedy.