What was meant to be a weekend of Caribbean music, sun, and fun in Croydon took a dramatic turn as chaos erupted at the SandZ Caribbean music festival.
Attendees had flocked to Addington Park expecting two days of “non-stop vibes,” but by Sunday evening, the event had spiraled out of control, leaving fans frustrated and demanding refunds.
A Glamorous Start Gone Wrong
The festival kicked off on a high note, with glamorous arrivals starting from 1 pm.
Headliners Vanessa Bling and Aidonia were set to entertain crowds until 10 pm, and organizers had even invited micro-influencers to capture the action for social media buzz.
Early on, everything seemed to be going smoothly, with music and excitement filling the air.
However, as night fell, footage began circulating online showing the scene unraveling.
Crowds surged toward the stage, bottles were thrown, and attendees accused the festival of poor organization and lack of crowd control.
Vanessa Bling’s microphone was repeatedly cut off during her set, ultimately causing her to throw it down and leave the stage in frustration.
The event ended half an hour early, at 9:30 pm, and attendees struggled to find their way in the dark, relying on phone torches after lighting failures.
Social Media Outcry
Videos from the festival quickly went viral. One attendee, @browneyesgirl15, captured crowds screaming, swearing, and even storming the stage as a horn blared in the background.
TikTok users weighed in, with Yasminda criticizing the organizers for poor planning: “The artist came on after 9 pm and finished at 10 pm! We couldn’t hear them properly, and people on stage refused to leave when asked.”
Other festivalgoers argued about accountability.
While some blamed the event, others said technical problems and unruly crowds contributed to the meltdown.
Zeli described a confusing experience: “We barely saw the first artist. The second artist was on stage for about 10 seconds, and the event finished at 9:30 pm.”
Attendees Describe the Chaos
TC, who filmed the aftermath, criticized the security team, saying barriers were left unattended and crowd control was nonexistent.
“People were getting in without tickets, security was mostly chatting, and police presence didn’t make a difference,” she said.
Others reported bottles being thrown, VIP areas being stormed, and overall confusion.
Kaydene Reanne, a lifestyle lawyer attending with a VIP ticket, described her experience as “8/10 at first, then minus five out of 10 by the end.”
She noted that performers like Vanessa Bling and Aidonia were not given the chance to properly showcase their music, and the crowd was packed so tightly it became unsafe.
Performer Reactions
Vanessa Bling, who boasts nearly four million Instagram followers, responded warmly to fans despite the chaos: “To my fans, I love you sooooooooo much.
We in this together forever.” She shared a fan’s story praising her brief performance: “For the five minutes we had you, we enjoyed you Queen!”
Festival Reputation and History
The SandZ Caribbean music festival, founded in 2014 by Carlton Davy, has a reputation for drawing international Caribbean talent and promoting via micro-influencers rather than traditional advertising.
Originally based in Jamaica, it has expanded to Florida, New York, Atlanta, Toronto, and the UK.
Past events have also faced criticism for poor security.
In Toronto in 2019, panicked crowds and safety failures led to injuries, while in Kingston, Jamaica, traffic chaos disrupted access to the airport.
Despite its history of popularity, SandZ has repeatedly faced scrutiny over event organization and safety measures.
The recent Croydon incident has sparked social media backlash and prompted the festival to limit comments on their posts, though complaints still filter through.
Safety Concerns and Security Plans
Prior to the festival, Amity Security submitted a 124-page security plan for an expected crowd of 5,000.
But on the day, attendees reported that security was largely ineffective.
Videos show gates being climbed over and barriers ignored, leaving crowds to roam freely on stage and in VIP areas.
What Comes Next
The aftermath of the Croydon festival raises questions about crowd management and accountability.
Fans feel let down, performers were disrupted, and social media continues to buzz with criticism.
With SandZ’s international reputation on the line, it remains to be seen how the organizers will respond and whether safety measures will improve for future events.
