Redwest organizers work to answer questions after weather shuts down festival on Saturday night

SALT LAKE CITY — Organizers of the Redwest Country Musical Festival said Sunday they were still working to answer questions posed by Saturday night's weather-related cancellations, as they underscored that they prioritized concertgoers' safety during conditions that included hail and lightning.

On Saturday evening, concertgoers said they were first told to take shelter and then were evacuated from the Utah State Fairpark as conditions worsened.

Hours later, organizers on social media announced the cancellation of the remainder of Saturday's program, including headliner Post Malone.

"We know tonight didn't go as planned," stated an Instagram post late Saturday. "But your energy, your spirit, and the support you've shown means everything to us. We hear you, we see you (and all your comments), and we're in this with you."

The post noted that all Saturday single-day tickets would be honored on Sunday.

Social media, in particular, saw numerous complaints, ranging from how the ordeal was handled to the infrequency of updates and communication.

Redwest organizers on Sunday told KSL-TV they prioritized concertgoer safety and erred on the side of not circulating incorrect information.

They said crews worked around the clock to restore the Fairpark into a concert-worthy venue Sunday for a program that included Noah Kahan, and they said they had plenty of space to accommodate Saturday-only ticket holders.

"Today I'm excited to see anybody because we actually leave early," said Monica Soult, who traveled from Detroit to attend the festival. "I would hope to get some sort of reimbursement for not being here for the second day, pretty much."

Organizers said it was still far too early to answer any questions related to ticketing and that they were working with artists, their management and others to come up with answers.

Kayla Parry was attending with her sister on Sunday and said they had seen the complaints on social media, but they acknowledged it was hard to predict the weather and that concert organizers did what they could.

"I guess the only thing they could have done a little better is (be) better with the updates on social media," Parry said.

Redwest, on its website, noted that it is a rain or shine event, but Tristen Zentner of California said hail and lightning go beyond rain.

Caitlin Harney said she recognized that organizers acted in the interest of the safety of the concertgoers.

"It was actually hail, and it was actually lightning," Stephanie Harney added as she emphasized the weather conditions Saturday night. "I agree with their decision. I completely respect the decision, and I think they made the right decision."

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