DJ's Tweets Draw Large Unruly Crowd to Rave Movie Premiere in Hollywood, Small Riot Breaks Out

A disturbance broke out this evening in Hollywood when a large crowd tried to get access to a screening of a rave movie. Hollywood and Highland was shut down as the Los Angeles Police Department attempted to get a hold of the unruly crowd.

About 1,000 people showed up to see the premiere of a movie about the controversial "Electric Daisy Carnival", many likely at the urging of DJ Kaskade, who took to Twitter this afternoon to say he was headed to the venue, Grauman's Chinese Theatre, for a "block party," according to L.A. Now. "Let's see if social networking words today," he Tweeted an hour before announcing "Today@6pm in Hollywood @Mann's Chinese Theatre. ME+BIG SPEAKERS+MUSIC=BLOCK PARTY!!! RT"

People in the crowd reportedly threw rocks and stated fires. In response, the LAPD lobbed non-lethal bean bags at the rowdy would-be attendees.

Electric Daisy promoter, Insomniac, Inc., issued a statement expressing disappointment "that a small group of people would try to mar a private documentary screening."

As helicopters swirled above, and the roads were blocked off, DJ Kaskade turned to Twitter again to tell the crowd he was concerned for their safety, and pleaded for everyone to go home. Supperclub LA, which was due to host an after party, also asked people to not show up at the venue.

During the melee Metro closed the Hollywood and Highland Red Line station and re-routed buses around the riot scene, but the station was re-opened around 9:30 p.m. Hollywood Boulevard was re-opened just after 10 p.m. and arrests were reported, "2 busted felony vandalism. 3 cop cars damaged & dozens detained," says NBCLA. The LAPD will use surveillance video to identify rioters, says KNX1070.

10:50 p.m. Here is Insomniac's full statement:

"Tonight’s premiere of the 'Electric Daisy Carnival Experience' film was designed to highlight one of the largest and most prestigious electronic music festivals in the world. Unfortunately, a small group chose to disrupt the film’s premiere due to their mistaken belief that a “block party” with a popular artist was going to occur.

I want to make clear that while this film showcased an Insomniac event, Insomniac had nothing to do with the supposed “block party,” which was not a part of the premiere. The crowd issues that arose were a result of individuals responding to social media information, which mistakenly led them to believe they could see artists perform.

Despite the crowd's unruly behavior, while the movie premiere did take place, even I was unable to attend the premiere of a movie that I have worked tirelessly to produce.

Insomniac strongly believes in personal responsibility and hopes that anyone who didn’t comply with police orders is held accountable."

Ed note: An earlier version of the post incorrectly stated the screening was canceled.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@laist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Lindsay William-Ross in News on July 27, 2011 10:40 PM

Comments [rss]

LG

If Kaskade is so sorry about what happened, how about paying for the taxpayer-funded police cars that were damaged? The taxpaying residents of Los Angeles cannot afford to buy new police cars because some smart ass thought it would be cool to tweet to 10,000 people to come down and see a non-existent free concert. Kaskade should apologize to the residents of Hollywood, the City of Los Angeles and pay for the damages to the police cruisers. That would show "good faith" and truly rectify the situation.

bwunderlick

Looks like the screening wasn't cancelled, but what does the first commenter know about all the other things she mentions? How about you don't invite thousands of people to a block party to a place not prepared for it?

Jasperzoo

It's clear, according to this article, that this had nothing to do with Insomniac. Just some attention-seeking idiot DJ.

Matthew Hudson

Can you imagine how terrible he feels for accidentally inviting a handful of idiots down to start a disturbance that he never knew was going to take place. Did the riot personally effect you? Did it ruin your night? Did your car get vandalized? I guess you have never made a mistake out of excitement or accidentally shared information with someone that you shouldn't have? You are like every other person on earth who believes they are the only ones who never make mistakes and everyone else is beneath them. BTW, that idiot DJ is very talented and was trying to share a great moment with his fans. Some people still have faith in human beings having decency and respect. So you are the judgmental attention seeking idiot for making a statement like you made out of your excitement to be a dick!

Jasperzoo

Seriously, Matthew Skow Hudson? Did you read the article, or are you just trying to defend an action beyond reason?

You wrote: "that idiot DJ is very talented and was trying to share a great moment with his fans."

A great moment he lied about to create publicity for himself?

You wrote: "Can you imagine how terrible he feels for accidentally inviting a handful of idiots down to start a disturbance that he never knew was going to take place."

Sure, blame the "idiots" who "believed" that there was "going to be" a "block party" that Kaskade lied about. Stupid people, believing what someone tweets about. This is definitely not Kaskade's fault whatsoever for lying.

You wrote: "Did the riot personally effect you?"

Every time something like this happens, it affects the ENTIRE electronic music community by perpetuating false stereotypes we are ALREADY TRYING TO FIGHT.

The rest of your post is just strawman after strawman. Seriously, wise up.

Doran

Just because it was a "mistake" doesn't mean he doesn't bear some responsibility for what happened.

Matthew Hudson

I never said he wasn't responsible, This was accidental and he had nothing but good intentions. Hence his tweets telling everyone to go home and chill out. Clearly there is blame, that is unspoken. If he hadn't tweeted "BLOCK PARTY" then I am sure it would have been under control....or would it have been? The EDC is known for drawing unruly crowds that crash events. Unfortunately Kaskade in stuck in the middle. Oh well...

Jasperzoo

Matthew Skow Hudson wrote: "I never said he wasn't responsible, This was accidental and he had nothing but good intentions."

But you also wrote: "...inviting a handful of idiots down to start a disturbance that he never knew was going to take place."

Seems pretty clear to me you're absolving Kaskade from all responsibility. Well done.

bwunderlick

Kaskade isn't "unfortunately" stuck in the middle, he caused the event! Do you really think it's an accident to tell people to RT your message of big speakers, music, and a party in the street, all of which didn't happen? Also you don't understand the implication or a riot if you ask "did the riot effect you personally?"

SabrinaRiccio

Get your facts straight... The screening was NOT shut down. People give such a bad rap about the EDM scene, but it means so much more than what the media portrays. People who actually appreciate EDM and what it stands for would not start a riot, it's the people who don't have anything better to do. Don't blame drugs either, that is just a cop-out!

LindsayWilliamRoss

Sabrina-apologies for the error about the screening. In the hustle to assemble the piece with a myriad of information to sort through, I misread some information. The post has been updated.