Los Angeles Gig Terminated By Police (8/8/09).
 

http://www.hardfest.com/index.html

Well, if I would've simply wanted to wait around in line all day and then wait some more inside a huge building, I suppose I could have done that for free and not paid $80 for it. As it is, however, I *did* pay $80 to do just that, and very unfortunately our boys were pre-empted by the Inglewood Police Department.

Rick & Karl -- I realize we die-hard (and older) Dirts were only a very small fraction of the kids (literally) out at the L.A. Forum tonight, but we really, really missed you. Any chance you might take the handful of us out to lunch for some veggie burgers and tofu before you head back? Or, perhaps, persuade your next L.A. venue to honor the tickets we paid for with our blood, sweat & tears?

Re: Los Angeles Gig Terminated By Police (8/8/09).
 

Quite possibly the most incredible clusterfuck I've ever witnessed. The crowd was an embarrassment and the informed rumor is that the promoters oversold the venue by 3,000 tickets.

One of the most poorly run and unprofessional events I think I've ever attended. An utter fucking disgrace. Gary Richards should be put out of business for this catastrophe.

Re: Los Angeles Gig Terminated By Police (8/8/09).
 

There is no way I could have put it better myself. And I truly *never* say that. ('Til now.) Amen, brother. Spot-on.

Re: Los Angeles Gig Terminated By Police (8/8/09).
 

Please at least play another LA gig so those of us that were there for you can see you before you leave America. Pls don't let us all of us suffer for those too stupid to listen to directions. Los Angeles loves Underworld and need you to reschedule! For some of us, you are the small amount of freedom we need to keep going! Pls consider adding another LA date. I will pay to have that time to dance, to be in the moment with you. Please!!!!:)

Re: Los Angeles Gig Terminated By Police (8/8/09).
 

(surprising silence on uwlive...)

Re: Los Angeles Gig Terminated By Police (8/8/09).
 

Karl's been twittering about it a little @ http://twitter.com/underworldlive

Re: Los Angeles Gig Terminated By Police (8/8/09).
 

Hard Fest? More like Suck Fest.

LAPD Shuts Down Hard Summer 2009

Hardfest LA + The Forum + Riot Police = FAIL

(Photo/Video) Hard Summer Shut Down By LAPD:

Re: Los Angeles Gig Terminated By Police (8/8/09).
 

At least it wasn't as violent as the Athens gig. God knows how you can oversell a gig by bloody 3000 people.

Re: Los Angeles Gig Terminated By Police (8/8/09).
 

Diary is up on underworldlive.com now too.

Re: Los Angeles Gig Terminated By Police (8/8/09).
 

what a shame for all you LA fans :( such a pity, but it really sounds like this one is down to poor organisation and nothing to do with the band whatsoever. I'm sure R&K will be itching to put things right at the earliest chance.

Re: Los Angeles Gig Terminated By Police (8/8/09).
 

Like i said in the moments thread, its a real pity and a let down for all you dirts who have been waiting for so long. Thank god nobody seems to have been seriously injured.

Maybe you'll be lucky enough to get a make up gig of some sort!

Re: Los Angeles Gig Terminated By Police (8/8/09).
 

And then THAT gig would be oversold, too!:p

I want the complete opposite: Do it NIN-style and ONLY sell tickets through underworldlive. Keeps the riff-raff out.

Re: Los Angeles Gig Terminated By Police (8/8/09).
 

Like I posted in the moments thread; this was just a travesty. I left (thankfully minutes before the police entered) feeling more sad than angry. I genuinely felt bad that UW didn't get to take the stage, and I felt bad about all the other musical acts that were left in the dust. The whole arena just had a very negative vibe going about it, and I'm just glad that so far there haven't been any reports of serious or fatal injuries. I just hope that the opportunity presents itself for the guys to come back to LA or somewhere in the southwestern US soon. Was all psyched up for my first UW show.

Re: Los Angeles Gig Terminated By Police (8/8/09).
 

The only thing that will make this right is for UW to immediately announce a completely free US tour with at least 4 dates in Atlanta.:D

Re: Los Angeles Gig Terminated By Police (8/8/09).
 

To sum up some of the vibes of this thread, if this was to be your first UW gig, well that just sucks *mindblowingly*. But I do feel you, and I feel totally safe in saying that you will definitely get your chance again.

About doing another show in L.A. soon, just a guess, but I'm going to go with "not going to happen". As frustrated as I am, UW had absolutely nothing to do with what happened, as has *always* been the case. Rick & Karl are the furthest from irresponsible as you can almost get.

Though I wasn't there, I saw the SF gig via stream and it was bloody brilliant! I'd say that gig more than makes up for this travesty. Also, though I dearly, dearly want to see UW more than anything like, right now. To abandon selfishness is a good thing, so I think if anything (trying to be the shepherd, not the tyranny, here), the east coast deserves a shot before UW goes back. I'm in San Diego, and I no longer have any truly great friends on the east coast, but there's a lot of fellow Dirts over there just waiting to say "hullo" to UW for the first time.

Re: Los Angeles Gig Terminated By Police (8/8/09).
 

Or Atlanta. ;)

I love that city sooo much. Only been there once, walked all through it's streets one lovely night, though. And the Masquerade is the best club in the universe.

Re: Los Angeles Gig Terminated By Police (8/8/09).
 

As I waited for an hour in line, I saw a mass amount of "kids" jump the chain linked fence, running towards the entrance doors. They looked like ants marching towards a picnic snack in a hot afternoon. The security closed the entrance. As my friend and I patiently waited for people to leave a small asian kid od's on acid next to us. We walk up to the security and explain "were too old for this" and wanted to only see Underworld. As they could clearly tell that we were not violent, they let us in without taking our ticket. Happily we awaited to see Underworld who rocked our minds back in 1996 at Organic in the LA mountains. As we walked into the Forum however, the dream became a nightmare of uncontrollable mayhem. Kids flopping over like fat over a tight belt, unorganized security with no authority or crowd control...yet we still didnt care. We want Skyskraper I Love You! We want Dirty Epic!

As we sat for those 2 hours, everyone under 30 seemed to wonder who this "underworld" was on the flyer...me and my bestfriend snickered and hoped that they could see for themselves. So we sat and waited and watched for 2 hours as the LA Marshalls and SWAT team in full gear closed down the event.

I feel bad for the lack of crowd control of this event and can only wish and hope that Underworld will hold a show for those of us "veterans" down for the Dirty before leaving L.A. (America) or come back. You can stay at my house and I'll cook you tofu burgers and take you to Dim Sum! CIAO!

Re: Los Angeles Gig Terminated By Police (8/8/09).
 

MissBianca -- Another brilliant post. :)

Re: Los Angeles Gig Terminated By Police (8/8/09).
 

This sounds dreadfull! I just hope no one was hurt - unlike poor Rick at Athens

Re: Los Angeles Gig Terminated By Police (8/8/09).
 

I wasn't the only one complaining before the fact about the HARD promoters or the people they attract but I didn't expect this to happen. I got there around 9:30 and was hanging outside with a buddy when we heard a girl start screaming "STOP THEM!" and watched as two guys, maybe 18 years old, running off with someone's purse. A minute later, this huge crowd of ~300 or so marched passed us in full-on angry mob mode.

I had a VIP ticket so I just walked into my area and discovered that a large group of people had over-run security at one of the areas and stampeded through the kitchen of the Forum Club, through the bar, and were trying to force their way into the arena. A bunch of security evidently put the hammer down and a bunch of people were either arrested or thrown out.

I didn't hear any music and around 11 the bartender told me the fire marshall told him not to serve any more alcohol or he'd be fired.

It isn't so much the Inglewood PD (a lot of LAPD were hired for this) but the fire marshalls who have more authority than President Obama who controlled this party. I'm not surprised in the least they shut this down but am surprised it took them that long. Kids these days, especially in the LA area, are an utter disgrace. Gary Richards, the promoter will hopefully be bankrupt.

Rick and Karl, don't play any more massives out here!

I feel bad for people who came all the way to LA to have this happen to them. It was a very weird weekend starting with the crowd of about 300 (?!?!) who showed up at the Hard Rock. Bizarro weekend, indeed.

Re: Los Angeles Gig Terminated By Police (8/8/09).
 

I wonder if there's any shot at getting a look at last night's prepared setlist. Maybe then I can imagine in my head what we would have gotten to see and hear...

Re: Los Angeles Gig Terminated By Police (8/8/09).
 

Now *that* is an idea! It holds maximum appeal, but still, I both do and do not want to know... you know?

Re: Los Angeles Gig Terminated By Police (8/8/09).
 

Better to leave that to the imagination. If that setlist had Juanita on it, you'd probably punch out your monitor :)

Re: Los Angeles Gig Terminated By Police (8/8/09).
 

Ok, I've decided. I definitely want to know.

Karl -- posty posty?

Re: Los Angeles Gig Terminated By Police (8/8/09).
 

Oh god. If the list had Juanita on it, I'll probably end up crying the rest of the day away. No joke.

Re: Los Angeles Gig Terminated By Police (8/8/09).
 

With that you'll shove a dagger to many people here. I am the pond and a continent away from LA but i feel the disappointment and anger around here. I am sorry it happened. The picture with the bottle of water maybe was a prequel to all of what happened. In some many countries people don't even pay for water at parties...but never mind that considering the corner of earth and circumstances.

I am sorry for Rick, Karl and the closer crew. I could imagine how they build excitement about any given show and this show as well...and then the feeling in the air that Karl has the gift to feel. sorry :/

sorry UW fans. i hope you get justice in some form...a secret venue maybe :)

keep positive.

Re: Los Angeles Gig Terminated By Police (8/8/09).
 

So sad...those 'big raves' are always shit in the US...IF there's a show of that size and scale, it has to be METICULOUSLY planned, and usually, when at places like the Forum or the Cow Palace in SF, it's just a magnet for idiots who want to deal drugs to under-age kids/get wasted/take advantage of situations...always gets messy.

Tremendous disclosure from Karl and Rick (as always - honest, decent human beings who care) but I hope for their sake that they never, ever allow themselves to get booked into 'events' like this. Which comes down to their booking agent. Let's hope the sad lesson on this particular type of US 'rave event' has been learnt...BTW, glad nobody was hurt, and most probably a small miracle they weren't...

Re: Los Angeles Gig Terminated By Police (8/8/09).
 

I felt the weird vibe when we entered even though the VIP way in was cool. No line, free drinks at an almost empty bar. But the biggest mistake was to have an all ages show at an indoor venue like the forum, with really poor security (even if they were very nice people) and a lack of information anywhere. No one knew where the other stages were or how to get anywhere. The VIP section was open to the regular section and kids (14-17 yr olds, plowed out of their minds on whatever) were pushing their way in and staying in the aisles. The announcements from the stage were very clear- get out of the aisles and don't sit in the front 5 rows in the balcony- then the show could go on. It wasn't even overcrowded- there were plenty of seats around and the floor wasn't too clogged- people were even sitting down with lots of room. But the bozos who were too selfish or too stoned to move ruined it for all. I also wouldn't be surprised if the promoters didn't make a payment they should have to the FD. It happens....
I saw UW at the Wiltern in L.A. (phenomemal show), at the Hollywood Bowl and the London Roundhouse (incredible). But last night had a bad vibe from the start- the rave type show just doesn't work in L.A. anymore. Times have changed, drugs have changed, the world has changed. The Fox in Oakland looked incredible, and only 300 people at the Hard Rock in LV??
Let's hope that we get a chance to see UW again soon in the L.A. area, but on their own, a show for the UW fans, not the underage candy ravers....

Re: Los Angeles Gig Terminated By Police (8/8/09).
 

I questioned the Las Vegas show from the start.

No one has any money there, esp. those of the underworld class.

Re: Los Angeles Gig Terminated By Police (8/8/09).
 

300 people at in Vegas? I was there and that seems really low. Is there any confirmation of this anywhere?

Re: Los Angeles Gig Terminated By Police (8/8/09).
 

I read the 300 number in another post. I have no real information. BTW, how was that show? I haven't read anything about it anywhere. Was it a good crowd? How was the venue? Why didn't I go there instead of waiting for the Forum show?

Re: Los Angeles Gig Terminated By Police (8/8/09).
 

Ticket prices, if the ones I check on were correct, might have had something to do with it.

Vegas shows are always crazy priced.

Re: Los Angeles Gig Terminated By Police (8/8/09).
 

It's just my estimate. There were no more than 50 people there when Damian Lazarus was on. I was actually at the front railing talking to people for awhile and it was really eerie. 300 may be low but it wasn't much higher.

Re: Los Angeles Gig Terminated By Police (8/8/09).
 

Vegas is horrible for electronic music. Especially on a Thursday night ;)

The crowd was very good, though. A lot of smiling faces. It didn't matter there weren't too many, the people who were there had a lot of fun.

They played half of Beacoup Fish it seemed, which I had no problem with. :)

Re: Los Angeles Gig Terminated By Police (8/8/09).
 

I think 300 is too low. The floor was about half filled, plus the people hanging out at the bar in the back, but the balconies were closed. The Joint is a 4000 person capacity venue. I'd say there were probably about 800-1000 people there.

Re: Los Angeles Gig Terminated By Police (8/8/09).
 

Maybe no more than 1,000 but still way more than 300. And the crowd was pretty cool. A little weak on the dancing but you could tell from reactions there were loads of hardcore fans in Vegas.

Setlist was incredible:

Dirty Epic
Bamboo
Rez
Cowgirl
Kittens
King of Snake
Small Conker with a Twix
You Do Scribble
Between Stars
Nuxx
Monkey Wink
Two Months Off
Diamond Jigsaw
Spikee
Cups
Push
Jumbo
Moaner.

Re: Los Angeles Gig Terminated By Police (8/8/09).
 

Some more stories on the shut down.

Fan reactions:
HARD Summer Shut Down (Video)
http://www.urb.com/permalink/6873/HA...8Video%29.html

Backstage account:
HardFest? More Like DifficultFest
http://www.nme.com/blog/index.php?bl...&c=1&tb=1&pb=1

Re: Los Angeles Gig Terminated By Police (8/8/09).
 

phew. such a young crowd and so much drugs floating around.

Re: Los Angeles Gig Terminated By Police (8/8/09).
 

PHEEEEW is right.

They should know by now, you need to be an elected official, professor, sports star, or with the far-out-right-crowd for that kind of going on to be legal and unwatched to get away with it.

Sheeesh, what dumbasses.

Re: Los Angeles Gig Terminated By Police (8/8/09).
 

Eyewitness accounts of the shutdown. Confirms that it was way oversold and understaffed.
http://blogs.laweekly.com/westcoasts...down-gary-ric/