Band arrested for surprise performance outside Warped Tour Long Beach
The band Who Cares from Venice Beach stirred up quite a controversy by playing a guerrilla-style set outside the Warped Tour in Long Beach. The popular music festival drew over 80,000 music enthusiasts to Downtown Long Beach over the weekend to celebrate its 30th anniversary. However, the real punk-rock moment occurred after the second day of the festival when Who Cares decided to perform an impromptu show on Pine Avenue. Despite a successful performance the previous night, this time, their crowd was significantly larger.
The lead singer, Omar Sandlin, who is 29 years old, recalled how the atmosphere escalated. He jokingly mentioned that during the final song, he added some expletives directed at the police, which led to their intervention. Sandlin recounted how the police officers approached the band afterwards, chastising them for their behavior. He found it rather amusing that they were scolded by the police and dismissed their comments as typical of law enforcement.
The Long Beach Police Department received calls about a large gathering, prompting a swift response by dispatching several vehicles to the scene. The video captured from the incident shows the police surrounding the crowd that had formed around the band. Sandlin likened the situation to scenes from the video game “Grand Theft Auto” due to the intense police presence, which even included a helicopter.
The police reported that the huge group obstructed traffic, spilling onto the street, causing chaos. Despite repeated requests to stop the performance, the band continued playing, claiming they were unable to hear the police instructions over the loud music and enthusiastic crowd. Consequently, Sandlin, bassist Elijah Napuri, and their 15-year-old drummer, Julian Crawford, were arrested and taken to Long Beach City Jail.
Crawford, who is a minor, was charged with obstruction and disturbing the peace. He was later released to a parent. On the other hand, Sandlin and Napuri faced more serious charges related to public disturbance and were cited for hosting an unpermitted event. The band’s van and equipment were impounded, incurring a significant cost to recover.
Despite the arrests and repercussions, their fans and supporters rallied behind them on social media. The incident reignited the spirit of punk rock, with comments praising the band for their audacity and rebellious nature. Veterans of the punk rock scene appreciated Who Cares’ dedication to continuing the tradition of guerrilla-style performances.
Sandlin acknowledged that playing unauthorized shows outside music festivals is not an entirely novel concept. He emphasized that they were not pioneering this form of protest, as artists have been engaging in such acts since the 90s. These renegade performances serve as a testament to the enduring spirit of punk rock, challenging conventions and pushing boundaries in the music industry. The band remains committed to carrying on this legacy and inspiring others to challenge the status quo through their music.