By Zach Bourque/with Lindsay William-Ross
In what was described by one stoked individual as a "really sick backyard rave," British dubstep producer Flux Pavilion took to a makeshift stage set up in Santa Monica Airport’s Hangar 8 for a free show on Tuesday, November 13th.
Hundreds were turned away at the door as capacity was reached, inciting several to jump railings and instigating involvement from the Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Culver City, and Los Angeles police departments. Attendees leaving the event were greeted by a veritable army of SWAT team members decked to the nines in riot gear.
An estimated 2,000 to 3,000 people showed up, all with printed tickets, but fewer than 800 were permitted inside by authorities handling the scene, according to City News Service. Santa Monica police Officer Shaun Dove said the large crowd hoping to get in created a "rave-type atmosphere" that elevated their concerns regarding maintaining public safety.
Not everyone was happy with the decision to limit access to the show, including Flux Pavilion himself, who Tweeted:
The event, which highlighted the brighter side of corporate sponsorship, was part of a series of free events put on by Intel and MTV Iggy. Opener Toki Monster got the crowd moving early on before Flux Pavilion took to the stage with his trademark head of bleached hair and awkwardly shaped British chompers.
Those who were fortunate enough to make it in were treated to quite a night. The hangar echoed the ludicrously loud bass from the performance as an LAPD Helicopter did loops above to the amusement of all involved. Flux Pavilion, who has grown to be one of the biggest names in the increasingly popular dubstep genre, played a healthy mix of remixes and originals to the ecstatic crowd. The stage was set against a giant cube of projector screens that showcased Instagram’d photos of the night and various other appropriately party-oriented visuals.
Flux’s performance was cut short around 11 p.m., giving the young crowd ample time for beauty sleep on a school night. That was when the authorities issued a dispersal order, which was largely obeyed. Two people, a male and a female, were arrested on suspicion of public intoxication and failure to disperse, Dove said.
From the inside, the event seemed to off without a hitch, credit to Los Angeles’ finest outside and the amazing, once-in-a-lifetime location and unique setup.
