The Most Unbelievable Experience at a Music Festival: A Night to Remember
Introduction
On March 28, 1987, I found myself at the Brendan Byrne Arena in New Jersey's Meadowlands. The event was a huge Iron Maiden concert, part of their 13-month, 28-country tour in support of their album "Somewhere in Time." What unfolded that night was one of the most bizarre and unforgettable evenings of my life. Eager to capture this experience, I will take you back in time to witness the chaos, excitement, and sheer recklessness of a typical music festival.
Exciting Moments on Stage
Iron Maiden was one of the biggest bands in the world at that time. During their encore, Anthrax, a fellow thrash metal band, joined them on stage to sing the chorus of 'Heaven Can Wait.' The mix of these two powerhouse bands was electric. The entire arena was on its feet, and the moment was almost too surreal to take in. However, the spectacle that followed would be even more insane.
Fireworks Incident
Someone in the upper deck decided to spice things up by lighting and throwing firecrackers, specifically M-80s and M-60s, into the lower level. These fireworks were about the size of a thumb, and their sound and force were incredibly frightening. The noise was deafening, and the concussion could be felt even at a distance. Iron Maiden's lead singer, Bruce Dickinson, made it clear that the show would be halted if the fireworks did not stop. Thankfully, this was the end of the fireworks incident, but the evening was off to a thrilling start.
The Night's Climax: A Mosh Pit Accident
As the crowd started to disperse, excited and euphoric, we made our way to our car. However, the most unusual and dangerous event of the evening was yet to unfold. In the adjacent parking lot, a huge fireball lit up the night sky. We decided to investigate what was happening and pressed against a 13-foot tall chain-link fence that separated the two parking lots. The scene was a site to see: two cars were overturned and on fire, surrounded by a frenzied group of people in a mosh pit. They were throwing bottles at the cars, and the entire atmosphere was out of control.
A Security Showdown
It was at this point that security personnel in yellow jackets made an appearance. They tried to restore order, but it didn't take much coordination for the group to begin reacting. Anger and frustration boiled over as one reveler approached the burning cars and kicked a bottle at them. This act only intensified the conflict. The yellow jackets, enraged, began beating the bottle kicker, seemingly without reason. The crowd behind the fence started screaming and shouting to intervene, but our vantage point was only a few chain-link fences away, and we were powerless to help.
A Grim Ending and the Aftermath
The yellow jackets eventually dragged their victim away, and the state police and fire department arrived to extinguish the flames. The scene grew silent, but the experience would stick with us. The craziness was sobering, especially when we later found out that one of the cars was owned by the guitarist from Anthrax, Scott Ian. The irony of a security guard beating up a fan while a celebrated musician's car burned behind him was not lost on us.
Conclusion
It was easily the craziest thing I have ever seen, and as a 16-year-old, it was incomprehensible. If you ever find yourself at a music festival, be prepared for anything. The experience that night will remain a testament to the wild and unpredictable nature of such events.
References
For a more detailed account of this event and similar experiences, check out [this article](reference link).