Heavy metal group Iron Maiden openly criticized took part in riots during their concert in Bogota last Saturday, but added that no one’s safety was at risk at any point.
Tour manager Rod Smallwood commented on the matters, telling the BBC “we abhor the inane behavior of a small minority of people outside”.
The manager added that those responsible for the riots do “Iron Maiden, Metal and the real Colombian fans a disservice and sadly just provide a reason for the military to feel they need to be there”.
But the actual size of the riots was “wildly exaggerated”, according to Smallwood: “Everyone is just fine. The ‘riots’ were basically a lot of kids trying to break into the Simon Bolivar Park to see the show and the park has a big perimeter to protect.
Iron Maiden made two previous appearances in Bogotá in the last 13 months, and “neither performance was at all affected by the incidents of people outside trying to break in”, according to Smallwood.
“None of the enjoyment of the show or safety of the band or our audiences was at all compromised.”
Simon Bolivar Park is often the stage for major international artists and bands, but Bogota authorities plan to discuss whether heavy metal concerts are to take place in the city again any time soon.
Iron Maiden have moved on to Quito, Ecuador meanwhile, and are also expected to visit countries like Argentina and Brazil during the remainder of their Latin American tour.
