Heading to Stampede on Tuesday was a no-brainer for Ahmed Nasiri — Don Toliver was headlining, and the Calgarian would have willingly travelled long distances to attend the artist’s concert. Read More
’If they want to bring big names, they need to at least book a stadium,’ said one concert-goer
‘If they want to bring big names, they need to at least book a stadium,’ said one concert-goer
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Heading to Stampede on Tuesday was a no-brainer for Ahmed Nasiri — Don Toliver was headlining, and the Calgarian would have willingly travelled long distances to attend the artist’s concert.
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But as soon as he arrived at the Victoria Stampede CTrain station, he was overwhelmed by a sea of people. He waded through the crowd for 20 minutes until he reached the entry gates. He then threaded his way to the Coke Stage, where dehydrated attendees were trying to refuel themselves.
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Nasiri said he had anticipated a large crowd, owing to Toliver’s popularity and the fact that his concert was free — but not like what he was about to witness. In a video posted on Instagram, the Stampede grounds near the stage were bursting at the seams as the sound of bass filled the air.
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Nasiri found a relatively better spot near the mosh pit, but he watched as teenagers threw cans and bottles at each other. A person, according to Nasiri, hurled a wooden plank at someone. Screams followed. A mother clutched her daughter. Another girl, meanwhile, was having trouble breathing, he said.
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Also Tuesday night, a teenager was stabbed on the midway, while two other teens were stabbed near the Stampede grounds in a related incident. All involved knew each other, police believe.
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‘We were prepared,’ says public safety director
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Tuesday’s incidents have raised questions about safety, especially during popular concerts.
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“The concert had great attendance last night, and it’s not any levels of attendance that we didn’t anticipate,” Kerrie Blizard, director of public safety and environment, said in a news conference late Wednesday.
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“So we were prepared for that volume. We had a number of measures in place. We were very closely monitoring from our command centre, as well as eyes and boots on the ground.”
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Blizard added, “Overall, the concert was a great success.”
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“When we heard the remarks from the fans leaving at the end of the night, the majority of what we heard was very positive.”
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Nasiri said he thought the concert was mismanaged. Emergency exits were fully packed. Bathrooms were blocked by people. And he believes the Coke Stage was an inappropriate area for a world-renowned rapper: “If they want to bring big names, they need to at least book a stadium.”