The Atlanta Journal Constitution
ATLANTA, Ga. — A fire marshal cut short Friday night’s concert at The Tabernacle short after he noticed a light and joists moving on the stage floor where Panic! At The Disco was playing to a sold-out crowd.
“This was going to be a story either way — an evacuation or a collapse,” Fire Lt. Ulysses Gladden said of his concern at the movement and floor support he shouldn’t have been able to see.
Gladden and venue managers evacuated The Tabernacle, ending the show after just two songs. No one was injured.
The Tabernacle brought in structural engineers Saturday morning to help determine what happened.
“The safety of all at The Tabernacle — fans, performers and crew — is our number one priority and we will always side with caution,” venue officials said in the Facebook post. “We were completely impressed with how calmly everyone left the building when directed by the Fire Marshall (sic).”
The Las Vegas-based band’s lead singer used Twitter to reach fans angered over the show’s abrupt end.
“Holy (expletive), Atlanta, we broke the venue with our floor-collapsing ROCK!” Brandon Urie posted. “But don’t worry. We’re working on rescheduling the show.”
Concert-goer Boyd Gossett said he could feel something give inside the concert hall.
“About 300 people rushed forward to the stage and after a few seconds, we felt something buckle,” Gossett said.
Urie later tweeted that the band would return to Atlanta sometime this summer.
“That was crazy,” Urie posted. “Glad everyone’s ok, even though it still sucks we can’t play. We’ll see your beautiful faces in the summer.”
Saturday’s concert featuring country singer Corey Smith was canceled.
“Unfortunately, tonight’s show at Tabernacle has been rescheduled for May 10, due to floor problems,” the singer wrote on his Twitter account Saturday afternoon. “Safety 1st. Sorry for inconvenience.”
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