Electric Picnic boss Melvin Benn has defended the festival’s safety measures after a crowd collapse, flooding and capacity issues at this weekend’s event, according to NME.
The sold-out festival returned to Stradbally Hall in County Laois from August 28 to 30 and welcomed about 80,000 people. Lewis Capaldi, Gorillaz and Fontaines D.C. were set to headline the three nights.
The first crowd problem happened on Friday evening before Armand Van Helden was due to perform on the Smirnoff stage. As large numbers gathered near the arena while others tried to leave, the performance was cancelled before it began, and announcements were made asking people to disperse.
At a press conference, Benn rejected the idea that crowd control needed major changes. He said organizers acted quickly once the situation became clear, confirmed that medics and security were present, and said there had been no other crowd collapse during the weekend.
A second capacity issue came on Saturday during Duke Dumont’s set in the Electric Arena, where stewards and gardaí worked to limit entry and festival app alerts were sent out. Heavy rain also caused disruption, including the evacuation of the Coca-Cola tent after water leaked through the structure.
