Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Arts & Entertainment
Last Night's Riot: Organizers Speak Out On Drakegate
By
Jen Carlson
Published Jun 16, 2010
Modified Jun 16, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Carlson
Published Jun 16, 2010
Modified Jun 16, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
As we all know by now, last night's concert at the South Street Seaport was a total clusterfuck, with the NYPD coming to shut it down and control the riotous crowd before the show even really got started (reportedly Drake had yet to go on, Ninjasonik played one song, and Hanson had only soundchecked).
Before the NYPD had control of the situation, however, plants and chairs were being thrown, mace was being sprayed, tables were being tossed off a balcony, there was a legit stampede, the mixing board was broken, and dudes were swinging upside-down from Pizzeria Uno. It was a serious Rite of Spring vibe at the Seaport last night. So who's to blame?
Sure, concert-goers seemingly lost all ability to keeps things civil, but who books a show featuring both popular Canadian rapper Drake (who used to star on Degrassi: The Next Generation) and Hanson (their fans are hardcore)? What we're saying is, this thing was one Justin Bieber away from End of Days.
As previously noted, it was Paper Magazine who organized the show (they reportedly expected around 10,000 people, but they got over double that). The magazine's publisher David Hershkovits is expected to release a statement shortly, and a spokesperson from the South Street Seaport told us this morning:
“While the South Street Seaport and Paper Magazine were looking forward to a great kick-off concert for the summer season, our primary concern is always the safety of our guests. Unfortunately, by the announced showtime, both the Seaport management and NYPD estimated that the onsite crowd had greatly exceeded our safe capacity, was still rising, and the show could no longer be presented in a safe atmosphere. By 7:00 p.m., a decision was made in consultation with the police to cancel the event in order to foster the safe dispersal of the over-capacity crowd."
Tagged
drake
hanson
paper magazine
riot
south street seaport
Jen Carlson
Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE arts-entertainment
A visit to Art of Play, the Brooklyn store in an animatronic bird beef with Kelly Clarkson
"Kelly Clarkson has put us in danger," says the co-owner of Art of Play.
By
Sonia Rao
Published Oct 13, 2026
The hottest way to show you're an authentic New Yorker is… riding a Citi Bike?
Thanks to Dua Lipa, Kim Kardashian, Timothée Chalamet and more, the rideshare program is having a moment.
By
Lindsay Lee Wallace
Arts & Entertainment
The hottest way to show you're an authentic New Yorker is… riding a Citi Bike?
Thanks to Dua Lipa, Kim Kardashian, Timothée Chalamet and more, the rideshare program is having a moment.
By
Lindsay Lee Wallace
Is NYC’s hottest attraction the free observation deck at 1 Centre Street?
By
James Ramsay
What happens when NYC kids take lessons in rock music? Really good bands.
By
Jayson Greene
Inside a photographer's journey to visit every neighborhood in New York City
By
Sonia Rao
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .