A riot broke out at an East Vancouver music festival on Sunday after headliner Lil Baby canceled his performance shortly before taking the stage.
Videos posted on social media showed people trashing the area around the amphitheater of the Pacific National Exhibition, which included tearing down tents and throwing objects.
Organizers of the two-day Breakout Festival released a statement on Twitter saying that Lil Baby was “too ill to perform” and that partial refunds would be offered.
“We know you were looking forward to seeing him, but these circumstances are beyond our control,” the statement said.
Other videos show the crowd booing as the statement is read on stage by an organizer.
PNE said the decision was made just before the headliner started and that staff members were not informed of the change until after Lil Baby had left the stage.
A witness who recorded several videos of the ensuing riot told CTV News the scene was “complete chaos.”
“I’ve never seen anything like it to be honest. It was just a bunch of out-of-control kids,” said Matt, who asked to be referred to only by his first name.
He estimated that the violence lasted about an hour and stopped only because the rebels ran out of things to break.
There were approximately 5,200 people inside the festival venue, and officials estimate that about 1,000 of them remained at the PNE after the headliner was canceled, causing hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage to the interior of the amphitheater and the surrounding area in Hastings Park.
“It is our understanding that there has been further damage to property outside of Hastings Park, in the community and to local businesses. For this we are incredibly sorry to our neighbours,” PNE said in a statement.
“This display of senseless violence and aggression has shaken our team.
Vancouver police confirmed they had arrested seven people in connection with the riot.
“Officers were already inside providing extra security when several hundred people started fighting and destroying property,” said Const. Tanya Visintin in a news release on Monday.
“Dozens of extra officers were redeployed from other areas of the city to restore order, with bottles and other objects being thrown at some officers.”
No injuries were reported.
Along with overturning vendor booths and trash cans, tables, tents and refrigerators were knocked over and thrown away, police said.
“We will conduct a full and thorough investigation into the actions of anyone who destroyed property, endangered concertgoers, or committed other criminal acts,” Visintin added. “Although this investigation will take time, we will bring criminal charges against people who participated in this violence and destruction.”
PNE said it will work with Breakout Festival promoter Timbre Events and their insurance provider to ensure “full and timely reimbursement” of all damage both on and off the property.
Several other last-minute changes were made to the festival line-up. On September 13, promoters announced that Lil Uzi was no longer able to perform “due to unforeseen circumstances”. Then, on September 16, another notice on social media said that Polo G and Sofaygo would also not be participating.
With files from Alyssa Thibault and St. CTV News Vancouver’s Ioan Alexander
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