The riot began brewing day one when the crowd broke the plumbing lines so they could pretend to be mud men. Prohibiting outside food and drink (including water) at a 3 day event put the attendees at the mercy of the foid vendor who were getting $8 for a hot dog. After 3 days the smell of feces and waste got to people. All of the aggressive screamo bands didn’t help.
And there was a riot at the original 1969 festival too. They burned down the burger guy’s stand. They tore down the fencing, some big name leftists tried to take the camera crew’s rented gear and trailer by force. All of this after Abbie Hoffman and theBlack Panthers extorted $25,000 in protection money not to interrupt their event (and were even given a booth and a publishing press on site). Yet there was Abbie onstage breaking into the Who’s performance. Thwack!
The best thing that happened the entire three days, you don't mess around when Pete's onstage.
I’ll never forget that horrendous smell.
I did discover the Chris Perez band, though. Selenas widower. His band was excellent and it was held in a hangar w/ very small crowd. Underrated guitarist.
In a interview Townsend said they demanded paid up front in cash.