Storms Threaten To Scupper US Festival

This weekend's Lollapalooza festival in Chicago was interrupted by a huge storm which prompted organisers to evacuate the entire site of 60,000 festival-goers in less than 40 minutes on Saturday night. The audience were gathered in parking garages that had been designated as evacuation zones.

The storm threatened to derail the festival, which was headlined by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Black Keys and Black Sabbath, but in the end organisers managed to get permission to extend curfew and three hours after the evacuation fans were let back on site. The Chili Peppers went on to play a full set later than night, and Sunday was unaffected which allowed Black Sabbath to play the third and final scheduled reunion gig.

Meanwhile, there was tragedy at the Wacken Open Air festival in Germany at the weekend when a man died after falling asleep in a carbon monoxide filled trailer.

A statement from local authorities explained the circumstances

"At this year’s Wacken Open Air festival, a tragic accident took place on the camping ground. As far as is known now, a festival guest laid down on canvas-covered trailer, where he fell asleep. A power generator was also located underneath the cover and running, filling the space between trailer and canvas with poisonous carbon monoxide."

They continued: "As it appears, the person on the trailer was breathing in this gas and consequently died. After approximately two hours, the friends of the deceased went looking and discovered the lifeless body under the canvas on the trailer. Emergency services and doctor were called immediately, but couldn't successfully resuscitate the person. The State Attorney has started investigations." 

(NME)