Fans rock out after stormy start at Spring Awakening

Bear Grillz performs Satirday at the Spring Awakening Musical Festival: Autumn Equinox at the Addams/Medill Park in the University Village neighborhood. | Pat Nabong/Sun-Times

It’s billed as the biggest incarnation of Spring Awakening in the history of the nearly 10-year history of the festival. And with more than 70 acts scheduled for this weekend’s Spring Awakening: Autumn Equinox, that’s an understatement.

Security urges Spring Awakening Musical Festival: Autumn Equinox festival goers to evacuate due to severe weather near the Addams/Medill Park in the University Village neighborhood, Saturday afternoon, October 2, 2021.

The musicmaking, however, had to wait on Saturday as severe weather forced the evacuation of the festival grounds for several hours. Social media and onsite festival staff alerted the crowds to evacuate to a temporary shelter at 15th and Wood streets around 3 p.m. Gates reopened at 5:45 and music was underway by 6 p.m.

But the rush to get back into the festival grounds was anything but a breeze as hundreds of festivalgoers converged on the entrance, creating a human traffic jam.

Four stages are set up in Addams/Medill Park (1301 W. 14th Street) for the electronic music event running through Sunday.

The lineup includes: Martin Garrix, Excision, Diplo, Galantis, RL Grime b2b Baauer, Dillon Francis, Madeon, Zomboy, AC Slater, Shiba San, Midnight Kids and a Sofi Tukker DJ Set. Other festival highlights include silent discos, laser light shows and plenty of afterparties.

And yes, attendees are required to present proof of full COVID-19 vaccination or negative COVID-19 test results. For patrons who are not fully vaccinated, a negative COVID-19 test result must be obtained within 72 hours of attending each day. You must be at least 18 to attend.

The festival runs 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday.

The entire schedule/lineup and festival safety protocols are available at springawakeningfestival.com.

Here’s a look at some of the sights and sounds from Saturday:

Festival goers head bang Saturday as Bear Grillz performs at the Spring Awakening Musical Festival: Autumn Equinox.

Bear Grillz performs Saturday at the Spring Awakening Musical Festival: Autumn Equinox.

Festival goers dance on Saturday as Wenzday performs at the Spring Awakening Musical Festival: Autumn Equinox.

Wenzday performs on Saturday at the Spring Awakening Musical Festival: Autumn Equinox.

Festival goers wait for Spring Awakening Music Festival: Autumn Equinox to resume Saturday after the grounds were evacuated due to severe weather.

Nostalgix performs Saturday at the Spring Awakening Musical Festival: Autumn Equinox.

Festival goers dance as Nostalgix performs Saturday.

Gordo performs Saturday at the Spring Awakening Musical Festival: Autumn Equinox.

The party at Spring Awakening Musical Festival: Autumn Equinox hardly missed a beat Saturday after a delay due to severe weather.

Madeon performs Saturday at the Spring Awakening Musical Festival: Autumn Equinox.

Festivalgoers dance as Gordo performs Saturday at the Spring Awakening Musical Festival: Autumn Equinox.

Festivalgoers dressed to impress with unique looks Saturday at the Spring Awakening Musical Festival: Autumn Equinox.