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Riot Breaks Out ... After Earth, Wind & Fire Concert

Cars damaged, window and booth destroyed

By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 23, 2010 9:16 AM CDT

(Newser) – Beer bottles and patio furniture thrown at police; people thrown through windows; vendor booths set on fire and destroyed: Not exactly what you’d expect from an Earth, Wind & Fire concert. The groovy musicians were in Colorado for the annual Bohemian Nights at NewWestFest on Saturday night, and after their show, 400 people remained in the area. Three fights broke out around 1am, and the disturbances escalated into a full-fledged riot.

Police eventually broke up the crowd with tear gas, the Coloradoan reports. Citations were given, and 14 people were treated for minor injuries. There's no word on what in the world provoked the previously groovin’ crowd. “Part of the sizzle of being downtown is the unexpected,” says the business owner whose window was broken. “That’s what makes it exciting.”

Earth, Wind & Fire performs at the 2010 Essence Music Festival at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, on Sunday, July 4, 2010
Earth, Wind & Fire performs at the 2010 Essence Music Festival at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, on Sunday, July 4, 2010   (AP Photo/Derick E. Hingle)
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NSFW: Profanity. Video of the Fort Collins riot.   (Drthinian)
More video from the riot.   (Drthinian)
And, just for fun, Earth, Wind & Fire sings "Let's Groove."   (elvistar)

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 19 comments
Even-Steven
Aug 26, 2010 3:15 PM CDT
It just makes me wonder about the reasons. You know, the reasons why were here? Reasons, the reasons that we hear,The reasons that we fear our feelings a-won't disappear. I am so sorry, I had to do this.
Kookey90
Aug 23, 2010 11:24 PM CDT
Reminds me of when I was stationed in Germany in the mid-80’s. Earth, Wind & Fire was not doing too good and was probably in bad need of money, so they went on the USO circuit. It was October Fest season and they were supposed to hit our community at 3 p.m for a Sunday concert. The place was packed and the GI’s and locals were drinking German beer and eating bratwurst waiting for the band to show up. The band finally showed up two hours late and with no front man to check out the sound system prior to their arrival. By the time they started to play most of the crowd was already drunk, fights were breaking all over the place and the sound system wouldn’t work. There was beer and puke all over the place. Needless to say no one paid much attention to them and after three forgetful songs that no one could hear they left. Gosh, we had some good times in Germany.
robertsmith065
Aug 23, 2010 5:08 PM CDT
It seems to me the headline should have been riots break out at 1 AM. the EWF concert probably had nothing to do with it. If you ever been to their concerts back in the day you would remember being too high to riot. Great band and great music. too bad some hooligans ruined it for the party people who believe in EWF's message of Love , Peace and Funk.

 
concert • riots • Colorado • Earth, Wind & Fire

 
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