UPDATE: Stage Collapses On Smith Westerns During Belgium Music Fest; Smith Westerns Frontman Issue Statement
By Jon Graef in Arts & Entertainment on Aug 18, 2011 6:40PM
Local buzz band Smith Westerns were performing at the Pukkelpop Festival in Belgium when the stage collapsed, with guitarist Max Kakacek almost being crushed as a result. Pitchfork reports, based on frontman Cullen Omori's tweets from one hour ago, that the collapse destroyed all of the band's equipment.
The band itself is alright, but the Associated Press is reporting that four people have died, making this incident comparable to the recent stage collapse in Indiana. Be careful, festival-goers, and keep Pukkelpop in your thoughts.
Update: The Associated Press has revised the number reportedly killed down to two, and that 40 people were injured as a result of the collapse.
Pukkelpop has been canceled for the rest of the day. Fellow Chicagoans Rise Against, who were also performing at the festival, have tweeted out their condolences and assured their fans they're OK.
Update 2: The Associated Press has raised the death toll to three and the number injured to 71.
Additionally, Smith Westerns frontman Cullen Omori issued a statement about the collapse, saying "Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families who lost loved ones in today's tragedy." Read more here.