Rave Standoff in Hollywood: Cops Move in to Disperse Crowds That Came to See DJ Kaskade

Categories: Raves

kaskade hollywood blvd youtube.JPG
YouTube
Kaskade spins on Hollywood Boulevard.
Updated at the bottom: LAPD detectives are investigating last night's events. A permit service source says organizers had planned to have Kaskade as a big part of the red-carpet festivities. AND EDC's promoter had earlier indicated it was hosting the screening and that it would "include a Wonderland-flavored, red carpet extravaganza complete with carnival sensations, performers and world-class acrobats" -- staples of its late-night events. First posted at 10:41 Wednesday night.

Ah, the great raver standoff of 2011. So what happened?

Here's the story, from what we know: A pre-premier of sorts for a rave promoter's in-house documentary on the Electronic Daisy Carnival party (Electric Daisy Carnival Experience) was scheduled for 7:30 tonight at the Chinese Theater on Hollywood Boulevard. Afterward? A very special spin session from superstar DJ Kaskade at nearby Supperclub.

But ...

... for some reason, someone had Kaskade schedule a set before the screening outside the Chinese Theater. From what we understand, that show was even permitted via the usual authorities.

Kaskade tweeted that he was doing a free open-air show outside the theater this afternoon, however, and all hell broke loose from there.

He called it a free "block party:"

Today@6pm in Hollywood @Mann's Chinese Theatre. ME+BIG SPEAKERS+MUSIC=BLOCK PARTY!!! RT!

Some rave discussion boards buzzed with news of a free show from a guy who could pack the Palladium with $100-a-ticket party-goers. So it was on.

People -- ravers? -- showed up in droves for the event, and by 7 p.m., Capt. Matt Blake told us reporters at the scene, cops got a call from the theater complaining of an unruly crowd outside. The show, then, didn't go on, and as cops showed up to disperse the crowd -- about 800 strong -- some folks went apeshit, fought in the street, and jumped on top of at least three police cars.

ravers on the boulevard curiousjosh.JPG
CuriousJosh for LA Weekly
Ravers on the boulevard.

A sergeant told the Weekly one of the cars that got dented and bashed in was his. One car got its windshield smashed.

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41 comments
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Inxtrmis
Inxtrmis

What saddens me about this is that this debate hasn't evolved a bit in 20 years! I speak from personal experience (without unnecessarily giving up my identity). I used to own a popular venue here in SoCal and I organized massive "raves" as well (though we made sure they were not officially called raves since everything was legal). I'm here to say that I was interviewed at least twice on TV and dealt with Police Depts on an ongoing basis, for permits and what not. There has always been this basic inability for the authorities and the media to deal with raves. They don't get it, and what they don't get, they tend to vilify and give it a bad rap. 

One of the posters here was absolutely correct. NOT everyone at a rave is there to do drugs -although drugs are certainly pervasive, but that goes for our society in general! You don't see Baseball getting shut down because of drugs and steroids abuse, do you? And when an innocent spectator is bludgeoned almost to death at a Baseball game, Baseball as a whole is not put in question, is it? If my little nieces who don't do drugs want to go see a star DJ because they enjoy the music, society has an obligation to provide them with a safe environment to do so. 

It is a FACT that kids partying in a safe environment is always better than driving their activities underground where their safety really is put in jeopardy, but maybe someone can explain to me why the powers that be persist in trying to marginalize this thing (maybe hoping that it will just go away?) Looking at events like Love Parade, get a clue: It won't go away. It will just get huge and without proper management, will inevitably get out of hand. 

In Japan, some huge raves are held in stadium-like venues, and the organization is tight. Our authorities need to grow up and provide true leadership to the kids, starting with taking on a protective role to supervise them with all due security. Antagonizing kids who are simply excited to get good entertainment leads to predictable conflicts and unnecessary arrests.

Blaming the promoters is passing the buck. All hands must be on deck to regulate these events professionally. People don't have to like raves or what goes on in raves anymore than when the city gets shut down for a marathon which some may despise! There still is a civil obligation to provide structure and organization so that citizens, no matter what their age or status, can enjoy themselves and do what they like safely. In short, give ravers a break!                 

Fed-up
Fed-up

This was a mix of EDM kids and stupid kids from the area who love nothing more to prove how stupid and ignorant they are..the few that cause problems and screw events up are usually not there for the music but to make fools of themselves...this is why it is almsot always better to pay for things

Tyson Bowers III
Tyson Bowers III

What....are the fighting for the right to shove X pills up their sewer holes?

Guest
Guest

What if sports fans were told they had to leave immediately if they had a free game , they would cause a riot too! When people expect something and then they are turned away of course your going to stir up an angry crowd. LAPD needs to lay the fuck off of the rave crowd.

Some people's comments on here are ridiculous. Raves are definitely not full of naked men and SEX. People actually go to these events to hear there favorite djs, like me. I only listen to edm so of course I'm going to a rave to see my favorite djs! Of course people are going to to drugs your not going to stop them, it's their body. With music drugs go along with it , it doesn't matter if you go to a rock concert or rap concert there are going to be drugs!!!!!

Ross Krothe
Ross Krothe

Kaskade is too HUGE for that venue... The crowd should have left immediately though.  Don't blame Kaskade... 

killertv
killertv

(Yes Richard, when we heard about this Wednesday afternoon we really didn't believe it. Would a promoter that got in hot water for unruly crowds at EDC last year -- a promoter that wants to come back to the publicly owned Coliseum -- risk it by being associated with a near riot. It had the feeling of a bad publicity stunt from the get go to us).A) Richard is not an expert on music promotionB) Insomniac has disavowed any association with the event as the man whom you falsely attribute as the one behind this event was unable to get to his own film's premiereC) Who actually organized it? Did they have proper approvals for a block party? Hollywood Blvd. is frequently shut off for events so why did the police not close it sooner?

Dennis, please start being a reporter. Answer some questions that need to be answered instead of misattributing responsibility so it fits your narrative better

Go VENTURES MONSTER MASSIVE
Go VENTURES MONSTER MASSIVE

hey killer did your mother teach you that or are sniffing and huffing the glue bags in your moms minivan?

Dennis Romero
Dennis Romero

Hey Killer. I didn't "falsely attribute" anything to anyone (maybe you need to re-read what I wrote).

Unfortunately cops in riot gear aren't really good at answering questions about "proper approvals," but rest assured those questions are being asked today.

Go VENTURES MONSTER MASSIVE
Go VENTURES MONSTER MASSIVE

Dennis,... you are a awesome reporter   who looks at facts not fiction, it was so predicatable as to the outcome of this...  LOS ANGELES You took away underage kids right to assemble for these events making them 18+  which now you will start seeing the results, when i attended the Colosium Commission hearings,  we said then that by doing this you will push these events out into the illegal ways of its past,  and that isnt all that pretty, but its where it is at today, any little event that is free, is gonna draw unruly children that just wanna be apart of the problem no the solution...... drugs are everywhere  raves are  not the problem  10 years ago xtc was 20$ a hit now it"s 5$/10$    maybe the Times should report on that instead of being best friends with Colosium Commision head and takes his notes and using to blast the rave scene

killertv
killertv

When you ask if a promoter (i.e. Insomniac) would risk credibility by being associated with a near riot, it implies at least tacit approval by Insomniac in that they agreed to the event. Additionally, you describe it as a bad publicity stunt in a paragraph only discussing the promoter who wants to return to the Colliseum, not by the artist who actually put on the event. I think you can see how that would be confusing and misrepresentative of the facts regarding responsibility for the block party.

killertv
killertv

Thanks Dennis. So you changed your report after the fact to actually reflect the facts.

Regarding the dancers, you're conflating two events -- the EDC premiere and the block party. Insomniac hired dancers for its premiere, yet you accuse them of being part of the block party. One event was organized by Insomniac, the other by Supperclub. Why would Supperclub have access to EDC dancers? 

Regarding the organization, you report that Kaskade's name is on the event's permit... so how was he not part of the organization effort? And it's officially a publicity stunt because the cover photo of the LA Times local section was posted to a Facebook wall? Nice reporting

evan gunny
evan gunny

dennnis, i showed up 5 pm to snipe all the love festival poster that were everywhere,   i knew when i walked to the location this was the end result...i said it vocally from 5:30 on this is gonna get ugly......kaskade and supperclub are the ones to blame not Insomniac who for better or worse are guilty by association.... and once again unfair to them..... good tweets yesterday..... I got some great photos on my facebook   dont listen to these ignorant jerks... people just run their mouths too much     this was a PR stunt   the DJ top 100 polls started this week and if you check you tube  it was spammed with alot of Kaskade spam to get his hits and veiws up.........

send the bill to Kaskade....

RyanHardHouse
RyanHardHouse

Killertv:Its called karma!  Extremely Entertaining too. I can't wait for the Nova story to brake!  Thats when the handcuffs will start clicking! 

Dennis Romero
Dennis Romero

Killer:

Read my updates. I highly doubt Kaskade "actually put on the event." DJs don't put on events, usually, especially A-listers with agents, managers, and publicists. I highly doubt, for example, that Kaskade set up the sound system or hired the accompanying dancers who look suspiciously like typical EDC dancers.

What's more, if you read my updates you'll see that some kind of music was planned and that Kaskade was to be a key part of red carpet ceremonies. Kaskade, the star of EDC Experience.

What's more, if you read my updates, EDC was billed in a previous invite as THE host of the event (no other entity was mentioned as a possible host) and had in fact planned carnival-like activities and "performances" that it didn't appear to have requested permits for.

So there you go. I guess I just started being a reporter.

bigriggs
bigriggs

What a bunch of tools...

Teo Skylark
Teo Skylark

Same argument 20 years running, you'd think we'd have evolved by now as a music genre and industry. With any concert, from Woodstock to EDC it is a massive where as the music has changed, not essentially the environment. Sex Drugs and Rock n Roll 1960's - Sex Drugs and Dance Music modern day. A concert promoter is a concert promoter, the package they are selling you just happens to be the sign of the times. For example Go Ventures here would be producing rock shows if it was 1969 and not 2011, same for Insomniac etc. A simple equation of supply vs. demand, as any educated individual and business person would tell you. 

Never the less, the manner in which we behave as a community is the real sociological issue to be addressed. Many blame Kaskade, for the flash mob clandestine methods used to promote him as an artist. When compared to Lady Gaga, it was a very innovative idea. Yet anticipation of the outcome could not be measured, especially since it was a last minute affair. How could he forecast that people would behave in ways that resulted in the manifestation of needless to say a very unpleasant environment. I was in the middle of that, wasn't there for the film or the "block party", I was meeting a family member for dinner. What I walked into was a scene right out of Barcelona, Syria, London, Greece etc present day. I thought that America had finally joined the global revolution. Low and behold that was not the case and it stemmed from my roots and personal involvement with the EDM movement. It saddened me that a community of human beings that wear kindness on their sleeves like a mantra had manifested such horrible displays of public behavior. 

The blame isn't Kacades, although logistics could have been better planned for with his gimmick. He's Dj / Producer not an event planner or producer. The blame lies within the individuals that made the conscious decision to contribute energy to the unrest. Throwing bottles, igniting police cars, even uttering profanities at police officers whom are only doing their job. Stirring the energy that ignited the fire, the real blame falls upon those that behaved like wild dogs with an IQ of less than 2. The real people to blame is oneself for how you as an individual conducted yourself surrounding such occurrences.

When I found out what was going on after being yelled at by numerous police. I felt ashamed to be part of a movement that behaves in such a manner that resulted in this incident, EDC last year and even the 15 or so deaths that occurred in Germany at the mother of all massive's, Love Parade. Is this what the EDM movement represents? Childish behavior and an outlandish disrespect for any kind of harmony and peace amongst the people. 

Peace = No, there was violence.Love = No I saw people throwing things at other people. (regardless of having a glow stick or a uniform - They are human beings)Unity = There was no collective conscious or higher awareness present other than the fire of kaos. Respect = Means honoring your fellow human, by listening and expressing compassion no matter what the circumstance. 

So what gives LA. Is the PLUR we project?

raver who knows this was wrong
raver who knows this was wrong

I just completely disagree with you, im a teenager, and i must say ive been to many raves, one being EDC last year and they are not that great. THE ONLY REASON people such as yourself stand up for it THAT MUCH or even start to talk about freedom which we already posses, is because of the simple fact of being able to do drugs in a safe environment, and hearing music that would only entertain you for that long if under the influence of drugs. 99% of the people that i know that go to raves if not all, do drugs at them, and always talk about the freedom it gives them and etc.... and btw if you havent notice YOUNG kids are ALOT of the crowd that go to a rave, under 15 sometimes, and by having riots such as this one, it is  not only endangering their lives, but exposing them into an environment full of drugs, and sex, NOT FREEDOM. I go to raves so you cant say i DONT know, CUS I KNOW, and i observe, and im not in denial on what i do in them or what everyone else does in them, so when you say a way to express freedom, why dont you really say the truth, its just a way to do drugs in a safe environment, and enjoy PLURR with your friends under the influence or "freedom," as you state. Honestly i know im ranting, but people like you that are so scared to state the real reason behind their words are idiots, if you cant stand up for the rave community by stating the REAL reasons for what they stand for, and by saying why you and your friends dont want raves to leave, and why they wont, then why say anything at all. Dont make up lies by saying innocent bull like expressing freedom it just sounds like your selling a hallmark card.

DoubleA
DoubleA

and that, my friends, is the teenage POV. that's what is wrong with EDM today...youngins got it all twisted. evolution, i guess. sad, yes.

seriously though, if all we wanted was to do drugs in a safe environment, we'd stay home! young kids at adult events = DRAMA. always.

Samps
Samps

Adults acting like kids at adult events=DRAMA. Always. Its not only Raves, but at most events there are always some people, mostly "adults" who don't know how to control themselves. It doesn't matter whether it's drugs or alcohol. Sporting events, concerts, block parties, etc., there are people who are totally incoherent and acting like idiots.

Melinda_malovoz
Melinda_malovoz

What the hell is wrong with people!!!!!! Toooooooooo manyyyyyyy drugs!!!! Stop those drugs people!!!!!!  

Spore23
Spore23

Nah its not the drugs its more the Idea that a egotistical Dj--someone who plays other peoples music.....claims that theres a free concert sanctioned by LA and INSOMNIAC EVENTS....on twitter...while theres a movie premier..

Lightworkings
Lightworkings

YOU are CLEARLY an ignorant shithead. Kaskade has ALWAYS been renowned for his decency, humility, responsibility, generosity, kindness, and compassion. That you call him "egotistical" is proof enough of your ignorance. That you think a DJ like Kaskade "plays other people's music" not only proves you know nothing about Kaskade, it proves you know nothing about what REAL DJ's, not the dude who plays your Aunt Susie's wedding, do. Kaskade has a body of work that is among the most beautiful, respected, innovative, and CLASSIC in all of House music. Spewing your ignorant bullshit on topic you know NOTHING about not shows that YOU are the egotistical POS, but that you are also a fucking idiot.

DoubleA
DoubleA

uh know what the ef you're talking about before you comment! kaskade makes HIS OWN music and he didn't claim anything about insomniac on twitter.

witnesstohollywoodriot
witnesstohollywoodriot

the LAPD should be ashamed of their intimidation tactics, especially in front of so many families, children and tourists who come to our city to see Hollywood. Even now, hours after the main throngs of people have dispersed, they are patrolling like a terrorist attack has taken place with non-lethal weapons, multiple helicopters and hundreds of police. Not even Barack Obama gets this kind of military exercise when he visits.

In a time where our city is as financially burdened as it is, the amount of resources allocated to these measures is incredible. Think of how many ACTUAL crimes happened while this farce of justice was unfolding.

As a first hand witness to this event, i asked more than one officer how far i would have to walk in one direction or the other to be able to get around the perimeter:  a simple, polite request from an adult, taxpaying citizen. EVERY time i was barked at with intimidation.

It was a clear indicator of what kind of position we as citizens are really in if something critical actually happens here: over-reactionary, militarized action against our own citizens who pay for you to protect us. instead of diffusing the situation, they decided to pour gas on a rather small problem.

Go VENTURES MONSTER MASSIVE
Go VENTURES MONSTER MASSIVE

funny thing is they could of prevented this easily, and for the most part the crowd was not unruly, i have seen rave riots because of events being shut down,   Circa In seventh heaven 2 the grand Olympic audiotorium was a scene of 20k ravers that went beserk in downtown nye 1997   goes to show you take away the music, you take away the freedom to express, as the cops learned today, you can run the raves out of town, BUT YOU WILL NEVER STOP THE RAVE/theMUSIC ................ GO VENTURES

Spore23
Spore23

No its massives like GO VENTURES AND INSOMNIAC THAT RUIN IT FOR THE OG UNDERGROUND CLUBS....WHAT WE ALL DONT WANT TO "SELL OUT" LIKE YOU GUYS...

raver who knows this was wrong
raver who knows this was wrong

I just completely disagree with you, im a teenager, and i must say ive been to many raves, one being EDC last year and they are not that great. THE ONLY REASON people such as yourself stand up for it THAT MUCH or even start to talk about freedom which we already posses, is because of the simple fact of being able to do drugs in a safe environment, and hearing music that would only entertain you for that long if under the influence of drugs. 99% of the people that i know that go to raves if not all, do drugs at them, and always talk about the freedom it gives them and etc.... and btw if you havent notice YOUNG kids are ALOT of the crowd that go to a rave, under 15 sometimes, and by having riots such as this one, it is  not only endangering their lives, but exposing them into an environment full of drugs, and sex, NOT FREEDOM. I go to raves so you cant say i DONT know, CUS I KNOW, and i observe, and im not in denial on what i do in them or what everyone else does in them, so when you say a way to express freedom, why dont you really say the truth, its just a way to do drugs in a safe environment, and enjoy PLURR with your friends under the influence or "freedom," as you state. Honestly i know im ranting, but people like you that are so scared to state the real reason behind their words are idiots, if you cant stand up for the rave community by stating the REAL reasons for what they stand for, and by saying why you and your friends dont want raves to leave, and why they wont, then why say anything at all. Dont make up lies by saying innocent bull like expressing freedom it just sounds like your selling a hallmark card.

Lightworkings
Lightworkings

Being that you don't know the difference between a real Rave and a massive, AND that you seem to think that doing drugs is somehow safer when you're in the middle of tens of thousands of people, you really need to put whatever it is YOU'RE smoking down and grow up before talking.  

Go VENTURES MONSTER MASSIVE
Go VENTURES MONSTER MASSIVE

I DONT DO DRUGS  IGNORANT CHILD, i saw how most of the underage kids acted, they were throwing shit jumping on police cars, ect... mind you   I am 34 yrs old and have been in this industry 20 years, when i started going to raves in the early 90's   people were peaceful, not you got alll these kids wwith no respect in a bone in their body and you want to talk shit..... and this is about freedom,  anyconcert in the US and California are all ages   NOW SINCE EDC  DANCE EVENTS ARE 18 AND OVER, WICH IS NICE CAUSE I AM OLDER, BUT AGAINST THE FREEDOM TO SPEAK AND ASSEMBLE,..... NO MATTER WHAT YOUR AGE IS,.... AND   UNDER 15?   ARE YOU CRAZY  MOST KIDS THAT COME AT THAT AGE COME WITH AN OLDER BROTHER OR SISTER,   YOUR REALLY ARE A IGNORANT LITTLE  POTTYMOUTH... PLUR IDIOT  LEARN WHAT IT MEANS    NO MATTER WHAT YOUR AGE 

Rightstuff123
Rightstuff123

shut the hell up. go burn more of your brain cells away and hug naked men. innocent people were injured. you want your music? go play it in your room/car/garage/backyard. Learn to control your temper.

Go VENTURES MONSTER MASSIVE
Go VENTURES MONSTER MASSIVE

my temper, lmao , I am not a kid nor do I do drugs,   the children that were their threw a fit,   hey la colosium threw out the raves what the fuck did you want to happen, we work for organized events, but clearly this was not  get your fucking facts straight chump...... RAVE ONE  MOTHERFUCKERS!!!

witnesstohollywoodriot
witnesstohollywoodriot

You can argue all you like, but there were thousands of people on Hollywood Blvd who were there to shop, take in the sights, catch the train/bus, go to work, etc. it wasn't just "ravers" or whatever image you'd like to conjure up in your mind, it was a lot of Americans and probably a TON of tourists, from all around the world taking in our idea of "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." I can only imagine how this looks to them from as outsiders to our city.perhaps you've been to a block party before? that's all it was supposed to be, some people show up to have a good time, others show up to fire bean bags at kids.

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