‘Open Warehouse’: Leeds Festival fans demand dance music stage is reopened after shock closure
“My understanding of it is that the tent was very full, people were not playing ball, and the decision was made to stop the show so no one got hurt.”
Music fans have demanded that a stage which was shut at Leeds Festival yesterday due to overcrowding concerns be re-opened for the final day.
The Warehouse was closed in the early afternoon at Bramham Park on Saturday (August 29) due to overcrowding. Acts due to perform later in the day took to social media to share their disappointment at the decision.
An Oxfam volunteer told the Yorkshire Evening Post’s reporters on the ground: “My understanding of it is that the tent was very full, people were not playing ball, and the decision was made to stop the show so no one got hurt.”
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In the comments on the Official Reading and Leeds Instagram page, fans have made their thoughts clear. One wrote: “Open Warehouse” while another demanded to know what was happening with the stage.
So far, there has been no official word on if the dance music focused stage will be open on Sunday. Skepta B2B East End Dubs and Mall Grab are due to perform at The Warehouse today (August 30).
The initial news flash, which has been seen by the YEP, said: “The Warehouse is closed. Please move away from The Warehouse.”
It has since been confirmed that the stage was shut due to overcrowding. In an update around 5pm on Saturday, the Leeds app confirmed that the Locky set at The Warehouse has been cancelled.
Responding to the closure of the stage Julian Fijima, who was on stage at the time, explained to his followers in an Instagram story: “Leeds, little update. Unfortunately we had to shut the stage down.
“There was way too many people outside and yeah, we couldn’t keep going. But I’ll be back soon.
“Thank you so much for the energy, enjoy the festival and see you then.”
Locky, who had his set cancelled, posted: “Leeds Fest, stage has been shut down. Gutted. I’ll b (be) back soon.”
Meanwhile Alisha, who was due to perform on Saturday, also confirmed her set had been cancelled. In a post on Instagram, she added: “Set is officially cancelled due to safety of the stage.
“So sorry Leeds Festival, it’s not the DJs fault. I’m absolutely gutted.”
The Warehouse stage was also closed at Leeds Festival’s sister event in Reading on Saturday.