NEW YORK — The fervor surrounding Juanes’ free concert in Central Park Wednesday ended with the headliner leaving the stage early due to the massive crowd in attendance.
Even while the real-feel temperature in the city climbed up to the mid 90s, fans of the Colombia-born superstar came out in droves to hear hit songs such as “A Dios le Pido” and “Mala Gente.” But because the audience went well-beyond the expected capacity at Rumsey Playfield, the evening show ended after just two songs.
According to some estimates, more than 10,000 people snaked around the venue with a line that seemed about a mile long.
“Tonight, the Juanes show at SummerStage in Central Park drew a capacity crowd of 5,000 attendees inside the venue with an estimated overflow of 12,000 additional fans outside the gates,” Heather Lubov, executive director at City Parks Foundation SummerStage, said in a statement to The Daily News on Thursday. “During the performance of his second song, with continued crowds at the gates and out of an abundance of caution, the show was halted and fans were asked to leave the venue.”
It was the first time in the 30-year history of the free concert series that a show had to end while in progress other than for weather-related issues, she explained.
Lubov said that all parties involved “agreed that the safety of fans and concertgoers was of paramount concern” and made the decision to call off the concert “at the request of the NYPD.”
“I’m sad because I was very eager to play,” Juanes told Billboard Español moments before the cancellation was announced. However, the 50-year-old crooner took the time to take photos with fans afterward and showed his appreciation to those who came out to support.
But Central Park officials may have their work cut out for them all over again when a similar fate could be met on Thursday. Fans are braving the humidity and heat for another free show in Rumsey Playfield.
This time, it’s BTS member Jungkook for the kickoff of the 2023 “GMA” summer concert series. Hundreds of people have been camping out since Monday to see the K-pop sensation perform live, CBS New York reported.
“It’s three, four days of camping,” fan Elizabeth DeJesus told the outlet. “We were just switching and bringing each other food and water and making sure everyone’s good.”
