In 1995, The Cranberries played a free show. Their fans overwhelmed the police

A free Cranberries concert at Washington’s Monument grounds on 15 May 1995 was cut short after a much larger than expected crowd became unruly. The incident shows how organisers’ poor estimate of the band’s popularity and insufficient police presence turned a lunchtime performance into a safety risk.

The radio station expected 3,000 people, but about 10,000 attended, with many reportedly skipping school to be there. After Dolores O’Riordan’s delayed arrival, fans began stage diving and moshing to “Linger”; the band had played only about one and a half songs when people pushed through barriers and threw food and drinks. Police ordered the group offstage, and officers in riot gear took over.