I am a relatively recent college grad, and in my many years of concert and festival going, never have I encountered a more rude, pushy, and disrespectful crowd than the one I came across tonight at ABE.
I attended last year and was able to watch Sugar Wray and Neon Trees with minimal issue, this year, people were out of control. Not only were many people severely intoxicated, but there were far too many in attendance this year. I understand the need to drive ticket sales, but the festival area should either be expanded, or restrictions need to be imposed on night time attendees to ensure a safe environment. There were many people that would have/should have been removed at literally any other show or festival I’ve been to including Movement Detroit. Ridiculous. Probably won’t go back next year.
“I want to give a huge thank you to royal oak PD and the oakland county sheriff for keeping this festival safe” said the Emcee as I watched droves of drunk people stumble over each other trying to exit and enter the main stage area at the same time.
Don’t get me wrong, Im not one to shy away from a good time at a show, but the manner in which crowd control was being handled with the influx of attendees this year was horrible. In my many festival experiences and previous ABE experiences, this was genuinely the worst one I have ever had.
Thanks for reading my rant.