LA’s Hard Fest Shut Down By Police For Hazard Status

Los Angeles’ annual Hard Fest (also known as Hard Summer) – a concert featuring mostly electronica artists – was shut down by the police before any of the main acts such as Underworld, Amanda Blank, or A-Trak could take the stage at The Forum in Inglewood.

The police had considered the event to have a “hazard” status when concert-goers started jumping from the 1st tier down onto the main floor on Saturday night. Although the event promoters tried to talk the police into options other than shutting the concert down, it seemed not only was the enforcement team nervous for numerous injuries but the musicians backstage also had an uneasy feeling.

Underworld’s homepage later explained these feelings:

“The was something out’ve sync with the good vibes we always feel here. At any moment the flow of people coming over the barrier could’ve turned into a cascade & people could’ve been badly hurt. I watched with increasing concern as it continued unstopped. It began to give me a feeling similar to the one I had that tragic night in Athens & my concern for the safety of the audience, should anything have kicked-off or gone wrong, grew swiftly.”

Security guards began pushing the audience on the main floor back and soon started escorting fans out of the venue. Later that night, they officially announced the concert’s cancellation.

Although Hard Fest’s website states concert-goers will get a refund, many fans were upset about the abrupt ending to one of summer’s biggest events. As fans were told to move along and exit the venue, many lingered in the parking lot to naturally start a party of their own. You can watch a video of both the concert exiting and the parking lot rave below.

What would you have done if you attended Hard Fest? Try to continue the party or go home and be happy with your refund?