Questions about ‘chaotic’ crowd control after the Weeknd performs in Edmonton

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    Despite positive reviews around The Weeknd's performance when the After Hours 'Til Dawn tour stopped in Edmonton, some concert-goers say crowd control at Commonwealth Stadium could be improved. More than 54,000 tickets were sold.

    By Lauren Boothby

    An energetic crowd packed Commonwealth Stadium on Saturday for the After Hours Til Dawn Tour — the first time Canadian superstar The Weeknd has performed in Edmonton in several years.

    Despite positive reviews for The Weeknd’s performance in Edmonton, some concert-goers described a chaotic scene as an estimated 54,000 people packed the streets outside Commonwealth Stadium, raising questions about crowd control.

    “The crowds were insane — in the show, outside, leaving, before, after it was chaos. Like just pushing, shoving,” said Hannah, one person who attended the concert, who declined to share her last name because of privacy concerns.

    No parking was available around the stadium and the City of Edmonton encouraged visitors to use public transit.

    But with thousands trying to get home at the same time, boarding a train wasn’t easy for everyone.

    “When the (train) door opened, it was almost like a whirlpool, I could feel myself being pushed and pulled in different directions,” said Erin Wright. “Someone pushed me and I hit my head on one of the poles. The train was seriously packed like a clown car —  like comically packed — and it was really, really hot.”

    Some who tried to find other ways home — with ride-sharing apps like Uber —  didn’t have it any easier.

    “No one had (cellular) service,” said Hannah. “Everyone seemed to be freaking out if they weren’t taking transit. People were just walking in, cutting you off, stepping on your heels. It was scary in that crowd.”

    Edmonton police say there weren’t too many issues given the crowd’s size — eight minor incidents including mischief and public intoxication.

    Concert-goers say having better signage, more frequent trains, and better cellular service would have improved the experience.

    Only one LRT track was open Saturday evening because of construction on the Coliseum LRT bridge. Around 15,000 riders took the LRT to and from The Weeknd concert and the Stadium was cleared within 55 minutes, according to the City of Edmonton.

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