Police in riot gear were forced to break up an unruly mob at the premiere of Electric Daisy Carnival Experience last night in Los Angeles. Kaskade, a DJ featured in the movie documenting the popular series of raves, announced over Twitter that he would be spinning at a block party outside the Gruaman's Chinese theater in Hollywood. Within hours, the LAPD was forced to shut down Hollywood Boulevard between Highland and Orange avenues, resulting in a massive traffic jam in the area. When police asked the crowd to disperse, they refused and many responded with violence. (KTLA reports that a cop car on the scene was set on fire.)
As the event descended into chaos, Kaskade took to Twitter to issue increasingly panicked all-caps pleas to his fans to "PLEASE RELAX." His final tweet of the night was especially forceful: "EVERYONE NEEDS TO GO HOME NOW! I DON'T WANT THIS TO REFLECT BADLY ON EDM OR WHAT WE ARE ABOUT. BE RESPECTFUL AND CHILL OUT!!!"
Photos: Electric Daisy Carnival's Ravers and Kandi Kids
Despite the riot outside the theater, the screening of the film did take place. Unfortunately, less than half of the 650 invited guests were able to get inside the building. The movie, which was directed by Nirvana collaborator Kevin Kerslake, will be released in select theaters on August 4th and on DVD before the end of the year.
Photo by Denise Truscello for RollingStone.com