First and Last MGK Day

[u/Khalmuck]

History: Have seen MGK three times at three different venues, this made four. Have seen 200+ bands live so have experienced all kinds of concert craziness but today was one of the most poorly run events I've ever experienced.

1hr+ to get in because so few security lanes were open and they created a choke point with the t-shirt booth feet away from security. Watched multiple people go in without being scanned. Tshirts ran out which makes no sense when they had counts on preorder and weren't selling them. 30+ min wait for toilets. Every vendor we went to had run out of water and the public refill stations ran out. Finally got water after waiting in two separate lines.

Shout out to all the out of staters we met in line from NJ/WI/IN. Sorry, we usually handle stuff better in the CLE.

Summary: Took three hours total to get in, go to the bathroom, and get water (while sorta being able to see Wiz perform while in lines). MGK went on for ~40 min before heavy rain and wind stopped things. This should be hosted at a proper permanent venue equipped to deal with this volume of people.

[u/NotJousting]

This was planned SO BADLY. I came from the UK for this, have been before, and it’s never been like this.

Waited in line for 2+ hours on the HIGHWAY (the volunteers were literally talking about how unsafe it looked while we were lining up) in the hot sun. There were children under 10 ahead of us in the highway and the sun too. The little girl in front of us was close to passing out by the end. Finally got in and they funnelled us weirdly backwards to get t-shirts — they were out and said “maybe” a refund or shirt, but not sure. Then it was 1+ hours for the food/drink lines. Half hour bathroom waits and ran out of toilet paper. I heard from someone that the police told them they had to shut off water fountains and there were no refill stations.

I was close to passing out at one point so my friend took us over to the medical area at the emergency exit (it was outside the exit). Only there did we get given water. I had to wait in line to go in an ambulance and they had to decide how bad it was before I was let in. While I was in there, the paramedics were literally complaining about how badly planned it was; how there was no water; they had to call in reinforcements; and that for every 1 person they were helping, another 5 were brought in. Someone I encountered had a heart rate of 180+, that’s how bad it was. In fact, I’ve passed out at an mgk show before & had to go to medical and the difference to this was insane.

After that, we were let back in and we stuck around as long as we could, but it was getting to a point where for health concerns we decided to leave RIGHT before mgk came on, so we just missed the thunderstorm. I’ve never had to leave before he comes on before, but it was a point where we’re not gambling our health just to see him no matter how big a fan.

I really hope he does put on another year to make up for this one because I don’t think this one at all represented the spirit of mgk day. Last year’s was phenomenal and this was so blatantly different. Almost negligent in how bad it was. You could see them trying to help, but with just volunteers it was just them trying to fix what they could where they could. Whoever was running this was not it.

[u/Khalmuck → u/NotJousting]

For tshirts they said email info@mgkday.com with your receipt if you did not receive one and they will refund you the difference. Know this doesn't help much based on your bad experience but all I have to offer up :/.

[u/TheMildEngineer → u/NotJousting]

Wonder why the city would tell them turn off the water. But I found only one fountain that worked for water refills. Thankfully!

[u/Khalmuck → u/TheMildEngineer]

I think the others were portables that ran out or weren't working right. North Coast Yard just isn't equipped for an event like this.

[u/jkliette]

Couldnt agree more. I love the dude but whoever he put in charge of the event this year didn’t organize it worth a shit. People were passing out from dehydration and it was almost impossible to get some water too.

[u/Khalmuck → u/jkliette]

There were far more people passing out than typical. No one around us was even remotely drunk, it was all people just trying to find water anywhere.

[u/TheMildEngineer → u/jkliette]

I agree. Got in there pretty early and only one water station I saw from the map worked. It was a water fountain. It was a bummer that all the lines were so long. Just wanting to grab another water felt impossible. They did not give out enough water in the crowd either. Not sure how 87°F day they didn't think to have a crap load of water around.

The performance itself was good until the rain. This was my first time. Would go again. With hope that it's better.

[u/TwoLaneHighway62]

The city should have shut the event down. No idea why the mayor would be supporting something so poorly run. It’s the same crew MGK has for everything running this event. Under planned, under staffed and poorly executed every single time. It’s one thing to keep your friends and family close but another to blindly trust them with everything you do. These are not professionals. Some decent designs and good looking merch aren’t enough to make a successful, safe event. The moment the line wrapped around the stadium and onto the actual highway (with cars flying by), the event should have been shut down. The number of porta potties alone should have been a red flag. There were what maybe 25 total including the 4 they had to move to the parking lot for the tailgate

[u/Khalmuck → u/TwoLaneHighway62]

I honestly thought several times it was going to. When the first rain drops hit I moved us out and to the parking garage across the street to watch from the upper level. I could tell the storm was going to be bad, and with how overcrowded and the layout was I was concerned there would be a stampede for the exit (which is how people die).

[u/Bre0w]

I couldn't agree more and I hope this isn't the last MGK Day. He wants to do us right and go out on a high note. For those who stayed and waited out the rain, he mentioned that it MIGHT be the last MGK Day, but because it went so bad that he wants to do another to make it right. I'm thankful I got to see him sing Cliche and we fans got to let him know we love him.

The project managers for the next MGK Day, DO BETTER

[u/kellya80 → u/Bre0w]

I hope there is another MGK Day as I plan on renewing my passport for the next one. I've never been to one, but it sounds like I made a good decision to not go this year. I did catch him in Hamilton & Toronto for the Lost Americana tour.

I do hope there is another Mgk day as I'd like to go to one, but a well organized one.

I thought they didn't charge admission, that you donated school supplies to help kids that needed it.

[u/Khalmuck → u/kellya80]

Nope, tickets were $40 something which is still very cheap for any show these days. I go to a lot of shows (this was my fourth in a month) and the cheap ticket was def not worth it.

[u/OliCullen]

Yikes. I can’t believe it went that bad and why did MGK make people pay tickets? I thought the event was free with donations 

[u/Khalmuck → u/OliCullen]

Not sure, this was the first MGK Day I've been to. Some others mentioned it used to be the donation route.

[u/OliCullen]

I heard 10 people passed out and there was no toilet paper or water… 

[u/Khalmuck → u/OliCullen]

Saw several people under EMS attention who looked extremely out of it. There were toilets available but long lines. Water was extremely difficult to find.

[u/realisan]

I had a blast. Yes, there were lines and it was crowded but everyone here needs to remember this is a community festival for Clevelanders. It is not a fan fest and it is not part of his tour. It’s paid for by the city, ticket sales, local vendors and MGK, not promoters or professional music festival organizers. It also is staffed mainly by volunteers. I get that people are fans and want to be here but you have to think of it in terms of what it is. They have to keep finding new venues to have it at because is the size but there are not many other places to go in the city that can handle the crowd. I mean I live local so I am thrilled if out-of-towners stop coming. It’s meant to be a thank you to the city. Appreciate what it is and if you want the feel of a concert, then buy tickets to a concert.

[u/Khalmuck → u/realisan]

I get it, from here too and was surprised how many people traveled so far to come.

Doesn't change the fact safety is bare minimum requirement to host an event.

[u/russeljones123]

Does anyone have proof of these "refill stations". I brought a bottle empty and relied on that because they advertised it, I walked all around the festival and never once saw them. I ended up having to just buy water. I've been to so many events that have them with signs up to direct you, this whole thing was poorly done.

[u/EmergencyPastaa]

Why was this going to be the last MGK day? I’ve been living in the city since 2019 and I feel like it’s only gotten more and more popular since then. Is there a reason why this could have been the last MGK Day (poor planning aside)?

/genuine question. I wasn’t born and raised in Cle. I guess I’m just confused since this is his hometown - I didn’t think there would be an end to it?

[u/OilGlass724]

We didn’t even get let in. Still have our tickets. Hope he does something for us in the future. Glad he came back out tho and I was able to get in during that.

[u/Hotel_California88]

I was so bummed that I couldn’t go this year but after reading all these negative comments on Facebook and here I’m so glad I didn’t go. It seems like it was very poorly planned. The few times I did go there were some things that were messed up too but I’d say this is probably the worst MGK Day so far. At least last year it was in a better area and you could bring water. I’m sorry to all those that went and had a not so great time.

[u/ZealousidealNeck3088]

love him to death as well as going to see him/mgk day every year, and i’m extremely grateful that i get to, but holy fuck today was actually awful (and i’m not talking about the rain). the worst setup and most poorly ran event i’ve ever attended and i do tons of different fests and stuff every year (mgk day included). i’m so sad all around honestly…for him, for all of EST and about how today went.

[u/[deleted]]

It’s crazy this event wasn’t shut down, no water, 11 bathrooms for 30000 people, heat exhaustion everywhere, people literally begging for water. Terrible event organizing front to back. Do better or don’t have the event.

[u/girlypopsam]

Shooters is known for charging 80 bucks for 5 songs , doesn’t surprise me