Free Lower Valley Concert Attracts Thousands, Organizers Work To Keep Crowds Safe
Rock stars, fans, police and paramedics. A free outdoor concert in the Lower Valley brought them all together Saturday night.
ABC-7 spoke to the drummer for headlining band Korn at the Speaking Rock Entertainment Center on the day of the event. “The crowd’s rowdy already!” said Ray Luzier as he looked out at the audience a few hours before taking the stage. “It gets crazy…there are a lot of stretchers at some of our shows.”
With that in mind, organizers at the Speaking Rock worked with city officials to make sure the concert went off without a hitch.
“We’re thinking it’s gonna be the biggest concert in El Paso this year, we’re expecting between 30 and 40 thousand people today,” said General Manager Karl Maahs. “We’ve had weeks and weeks, probably months of planning: several meeting with the El Paso Police Department, the Sheriff’s (Office), our own security, emergency services, etc.”
Margaret Castaneda, an EMT with Elite Medical Transport, said they were ready for anything. “The biggest challenge will probably be differentiating between the inebriated people and the real emergencies,” she said. “It’s going to get pretty crazy tonight, but hopefully everyone will mosh safely.”
Fans showed their love for the band through t-shirts and tattoos. “I’ve been to 17 Korn shows, I’m not worried about nothin’!” said superfan Celina Davenport. She and others say a little mayhem is just part of the music.
“It’s going to be intense. We’re going to commit some serious rock tonight for sure,” said Luzier. “There’s no fans like Korn fans.”
Two other bands also played at the concert Saturday afternoon. Saturday’s show is part of a free concert series at the Speaking Rock. Earlier this month Mexican rock band “Enanitos Verdes” performed at the venue. Up next: Blondie on November 16.
