DFA 1979 Play secret SXSW show, riot breaks out. | Beauty Bar (Austin, TX)
I was supposed to be inside shooting the show for SPIN, but due to capacity issues I couldn’t pick up my credentials. A large crowd formed outside to catch a glimpse of the band’s first show in about five years.
The fence to the Beauty Bar patio was ripped down after security and police inside sprayed mace on the crowd that was outside. I cannot be sure who it was, either a security guard or police officer inside the fenced in venue put his or her taser on the metal fence, shocking those who were holding onto it. Immediately, the crowd tore the fence down. Inciting police to once again mace people the crowd.
A SPIN writer, who was there to review the show, was also maced. Although he was in obvious pain, Kevin proceeded to continue taking notes. He turned to me asking “Hey Ian, was that ‘Black History Month’ they were playing when the shit went down?” Trying to make an intense situation a little lighter.
It took six mounted police officers along with another eight on foot to clear the alley behind Beauty Bar. They also also had four cop cars block off the ends of the alley. Police on foot were wielding industrial cans of mace, spraying them at people who would not back up.
They shut down the show for 15 minutes before letting DFA resume playing. Those who were walking away heard the music resume and came rushing back to hear the band. Only this time the crowd was much larger.
A police officer threatened to arrest me for using a flash to photograph the police incident. Understanding that I was on public property, I politely turned to him and said, “You are doing your job and I am doing mine. I am going to continue taking photos.” To which he responded with an act of intimidation. I did not back down and kept documenting.
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