Music festivals are often seen as carefree escapes, where like-minded fans gather for days of live music, community, and celebration. Festivals have seen some of the most extraordinary moments, and they account for some of the greatest years in music. But amid the excitement and joy, some festivals have taken devastating turns, unraveling into chaos, danger, and tragedy.
From catastrophic weather to poor planning, overcrowding, and even violence, some events have destroyed the delicate balance between revelry and risk, but there are a select few that stand out as particularly horrible. Curious? Click through this gallery to see some of history’s most infamously disastrous music festivals that have left haunting memories.