one of the ugliest brawls I've been in was at a new years eve concert in the early 90's
A good mate, a singer and would-be promoter, had organised a New year's Eve concert in one of the more working-class areas of suburban Melbourne, in an old drive-in. He had a good line-up with a couple of international acts. He underestimated the lack of alternatives available to the locals, as it was a big sellout with more people than tickets. He'd also understaffed both in security and gate staff, a first-time promoter's error. Still, the concert progressed well with a good vibe, even though having a slighly odd edge about it. People were openly dealing drugs, bikies had taken over half the mosh pit, and a bloke wearing speedos pushed a fridge past me, a whole fridge-freezer laid on its side with wheels bolted on. The security had given up and were letting everybody in. I was on e's myself, though this is not lol massive drugs story.
The band finished just before midnight and we did the countdown amongst a shower of sprayed beer. Then, instead of another band coming back, they started playing Pink Floyd's The Wall on the drive-in screen. Maybe 6 or seven thousand people, drunk, drugged-up, full of energy, and suddenly left without anything to do. Except stare at The Wall. With no sound.
It all happened really quickly. People starting howling, then pushing, then a huge open brawl broke out all over, a mad free-for-all. I watched as one bodybuilder type near me started thumping people at random in the head, anyone who came within his axis. People were getting kicked, going down and getting stomped on. On those movie bar brawls, you don't see someone just standing there head down holding a t-shirt up to his broken teeth as his blood and snot drip together to the ground with a look that said "what the fuck just happened?".
A bunch of cowardly people like myself who just wanted to get the fuck out of there all went for the exit, and formed a suffocating heaving crush. I made a few good directional choices and got out early and didn't look back. Ive seen my share of fights, and been in a few in high school, but I've not seen the likes of that night before or since.
( cumquat may will not be commenting further on the allegations, Thu 31 May 2012, 19:43, Reply)