Don Toliver narrowly sidestepped disaster on July 8 when an overwhelming crowd at his free Calgary Stampede performance caused panic and physical distress among attendees.
Held at the Coca-Cola Stage in Calgary, Alberta, the concert drew far more people than the venue could comfortably hold, leading to dangerous crowd surges and multiple safety concerns.
Some attendees described the scene as chaotic and physically overwhelming, drawing comparisons to the deadly 2021 AstroWorld Festival in Houston, where 10 people died during a crowd crush at a Travis Scott show.
“It was just too crowded and way too pushy.… I stopped being able to breathe pretty quickly,” one concertgoer told local outlet CBC Radio Canada. Another added, “Literally, I was being crushed. I’m 5’2.… I’m just there trying to survive.”
Security teams and Calgary police were forced to intervene as the crowd pressed toward the stage to watch Don Toliver.
Several people were pulled out for their own safety. Though no official injuries were reported, the volume and intensity of the crowd left many shaken.
Stampede organizers had promoted the show as a free event, but the limited space at the Coca-Cola Stage quickly became a problem.
The sheer number of attendees overwhelmed the venue’s capacity, leading to blocked exits, dehydration and at least one report of violence, including a stabbing.
Despite the chaos, Stampede officials maintained that the event was a success.
The Calgary Stampede runs through July 14 with organizers now considering additional safety measures for future high-profile performances.