Law enforcement officials responded to three nightclubs Thursday when large crowds gathered to see the rapper Future, prompting the cancellation of two free concerts in West Hollywood and two partial closures of Sunset Boulevard.
A free Future concert had been relocated to the House of Blues, located at 8430 Sunset Blvd. (map), after rowdy crowds forced an hourslong closure of Sunset Boulevard in front of the show’s initial venue — the Roxy nightclub in West Hollywood, according to Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department officials.
The first 800 people in line were guaranteed entrance to the House of Blues, according to an Instagram post from the rapper, but sheriff’s officials at the scene said some 1,200 people showed up.
Doors were expected to open around 10 p.m., and video of the scene showed fans rushing into the venue shortly thereafter. Smoke was visible in the area and law enforcement vehicles descended upon the scene.
Sheriff’s officials later said the smoke was caused by someone playing with a fire extinguisher and setting it off.
Within 30 minutes, crowds had formed in front of the House of Blues and dozens of law enforcement vehicles took formation, blocking the street.
About two blocks of Sunset Boulevard were closed in front of the House of Blues between North La Cienega Boulevard and North Kings Road (map) around 10:30 p.m., aerial video from Sky5 showed.
Despite the raucous scene, Future tweeted that he would be back.
“Salute the fans #DS2LA I will be back soon to give give the ppl the show they deserve,” he stated around 10:40 p.m.
The rapper later tweeted: “I’m posted vip at Supper Club tonight.”
Los Angeles Police Department officials asked the Los Angeles Fire Department around 11 p.m. to assist with a possible overcrowding situation at the third club, located at 6675 Hollywood Blvd. (map), LAFD’s Margaret Stewart said.
Sky5 video showed the club promoting the rapper’s presence, stating “Future Tonight” on the marquee.
Large crowds could also be seen filling the sidewalk in front of the nightclub.
The chaos first began when people began lining up outside the Roxy at 11 a.m., according to Lt. William Nash with the Sheriff’s Department’s West Hollywood Station.
About 700 people were in line, with the crowd spilling out into the street in front of the club, at 9009 Sunset Blvd., Nash said.
Safety concerns and traffic hazards prompted authorities to close the street, sheriff’s Sgt. Richard Bowman said on scene.
Just before 3 p.m., the busy thoroughfare was shut down between Doheny Drive and San Vicente Boulevard, the station announced on Twitter. Sunset reopened just before 5 p.m., another Sheriff’s Department tweet stated.
The concert, listed on the Roxy’s website as the Ataris with Sederra opening, was set to begin at 7:30 p.m.
However, a free concert was also expected at the Roxy from rapper Future, the last of a four-show free “Salute the Fans” tour that began in Atlanta on Monday.
“Everybody was just hyped about the buzz. It’s a free concert,” said Jeff Cooper of San Bernardino, who was one of those waiting outside the Roxy.
Details of each concert were announced every morning, and the Los Angeles performance was set for Thursday.
“The Roxy,” Future tweeted simply at 9:30 a.m.
The fact that there was no age limit led lots of underage fans to show up, according to Gabrielle Florence, another San Bernardino resident hoping to see Future. There was no order outside the venue, she said.
“I don’t even want to go anymore,” Florence said.
Just before 4 p.m., the Roxy Theatre tweeted that the show would not go on. At 6 p.m., Future posted on Instagram that the show was moved to the House of Blues, just a few blocks away from the Roxy.
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