Armenian-American rock band System of a Down headlined Chicago’s Riot Fest this past weekend, exciting fans for what was supposedly a rare performance, according to Loudwire.
The Chicago performance followed a run of shows including a set at Amnesia Rockfest, and their seven-date long European spring tour, which commemorated the Armenian genocide.
System of a Down is known for having a wild (and crazy) fan base, and this proved true during the California-based band’s Riot Fest performance. The group was forced to stop their set multiple times due to serious crowd injuries.
Many injuries were sustained “after a pile of fans collapsed over each other in the pit,” according to Loudwire.
Aspiring professional wrestler Steve Schneider shared his personal account of the frightening crowd with WrestleZone, who experienced almost fatal injuries:
I fell over during System of a Down, then someone fell on top of me so I couldn’t breathe … Apparently System of a Down had to stop playing so paramedics could get me out; I was unconscious at that point so I have no memory of it.
Regarding crowd safety, System of a Down is in support of everyone’s well-being; the band stopped playing multiple times to ask the crowd to create a path of entry for paramedics on the way. Lead singer Serj Tankian commented, “We love playing these shows, but it’s not worth one person getting hurt.”
Tankian also said, “It’s extremely awkward to sing when there are people who look like they’re dying right in front of me.”
You can see the mess unfold in the fan-filmed video below.
System of a Down can next be seen at their upcoming performance at Rock in Rio Brasil.
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