The rain didn’t stop The Chainsmokers from performing in Ottawa this weekend.
When heavy rain forced Escapade Music Festival to cancel the final night of the three day festival at Lansdowne, the American electronic DJ duo decided to perform in the ByWard Market.
The Chainsmokers said, “we’re bummed” the performance was cancelled at Lansdowne.
After searching for a location, the Chainsmokers performed a popup show at Sky Lounge in the market.
“We did the best we could given what’s available in the city,” the duo said on Instagram, showing a video of some fans standing outside their lounge.
The Chainsmokers perform a show at Sky Lounge in the ByWard Market. (Sky Lounge Ottawa/Instagram)
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Sky Lounge bartender Madison Lucente said her manager told her when she arrived for work that The Chainsmokers and Lost Frequencies may be performing.
“It was kind of chaotic,” Lucente told Newstalk 580 CFRA’s Ottawa at Work.
“We had to call in backup security and more bartenders, but we got it under control and everyone was just excited to be there.”
Lucente says the weekend was full with Escapade after parties.
“Our tickets were sold out the night before. We had a lot of people offering a lot of money to skip the line and come in.”
Thousands of people packed the ByWard Market Sunday evening, with long lines outside several clubs.
Ottawa Police closed York Street to traffic due to the number of people in the area.
Escapade announced the cancellation of Sunday’s lineup after heavy rain soaked TD Place and Lansdowne. Ottawa received 33 mm of rain.
The performance by Armin van Buuren was also cancelled.
“I hope everyone’s safe and I feel bad for all those who fans who were looking to see the show,” van Buuren said on Instagram.