Total Kanye chaos! New York's East Village descended into a near riot on Sunday, June 5, when fans flooded the streets in a desperate attempt to get into a surprise pop-up Kanye West gig at the city's Webster Hall.
After playing a short set at the Hot 97 Summer Jam earlier in the evening, Kim Kardashian's husband announced a surprise show at Webster Hall at 2 a.m. — to make up for the fact that the Governors Ball had been canceled.
As soon as West had announced the gig via Twitter, literally thousands of fans flooded the streets around the venue, desperate to be part of the action. Within an hour, the show was sold out, but the crowds just kept growing, and many took to Twitter to share some of scenes, with reports of scary, dangerous conditions and one injury among the excited tweets.
When you live across from Webster Hall and Kanye causes a riot ? pic.twitter.com/TIG1b7z2kC
— Andrew Goldstein (@AngeGold) June 6, 2016
https://twitter.com/kanyewest/status/739683751127568384
An over-excited West was seen on Kardashian’s Snapchat seemingly asking Mayor Bill de Blasio to officially shut the streets so the fans who didn't have access to the gig could have a party outside (yes, really!).
Look at this power. It's almost 2 AM & more than half of these people aren't going to get in. pic.twitter.com/sdGyKEhFzi
— ronald isley (@yoyotrav) June 6, 2016
SHUT DOWN THE BLOCK 4 STREETS AND PUT SCREENS SO THEY CAN HAVE A PARTY OUTSIDE. @kanyewest the ? pic.twitter.com/scOfRht9V6
— TeamKanyeDaily (@TeamKanyeDaily) June 6, 2016
But it seems there is a limit to West's influence, and the Life of Pablo hitmaker was then dealt a devastating blow: The concert had to be canceled completely.
"There is no late show at Webster Hall tonight. Please get home safely," the venue tweeted to the thousands of fans outside, while someone took to a loud speaker to convey the same message.
There is no late show at Webster Hall tonight. Please get home safely.
— Webster Hall (@WebsterHall) June 6, 2016
But while those who hung about weren't treated to the promised gig, they did get a chance to see their hero, who drove through the crowds shortly afterward, his head poking out though the sunroof of his vehicle.
https://twitter.com/matthew_david92/status/739701734440882176
According to Kardashian's social announcements, West, 38, was forced by the police to abandon the gig.
At the end of the night the reality star, 35, addressed their fans in a Snapchat video (filmed in bed). "Alright guys, we're in bed. We tried… he tried so hard, but it was just bigger, the cops just really wouldn't allow it."
