Stray Kids’ highly awaited dominATE tour stop in Washington DC turned into a nightmare for fans and the group due to dangerous heat levels and poor venue management. The June 23 concert at Nationals Park ended early after multiple fans and members showed signs of heat exhaustion, with six people hospitalized.
The outdoor stadium reached temperatures of 99°F (37°C), with minimal airflow, making conditions unbearable. Fans reported overcrowding, lack of free water, and slow emergency responses. Videos showed member Hyunjin struggling to breathe during performances, while others like Bang Chan stopped the show multiple times to check on attendees.
“I was at the Stray Kids DC show tonight and it was BRUTAL – extreme weather advisory with temperatures hitting 99 degrees. Venue was disorganized, people were passing out left and right.”
The crisis began even before the concert. VIP ticket holders were left waiting outside for soundcheck in direct sunlight, with no shade or water provided. Bang Chan commented on the heat during soundcheck, but no adjustments were made by staff. Once inside, fans were forced to discard their water bottles, only to find $8 bottled water being sold inside.
“so this stadium didn’t let hundreds of stays with VIP get into soundcheck, forced stays to throw out their water bottles before entering the venue, then forced stays to pay 8 dollars per water.”
As the concert progressed, the heat became unbearable. Multiple fans fainted, and Stray Kids members personally handed out their own water supplies to the crowd. The group paused performances repeatedly, with Bang Chan urging staff to assist fans. Despite their efforts, the show was abruptly ended for safety reasons, leaving fans to exit through non-air-conditioned hallways.
DC Fire Department confirmed six heat-related hospitalizations, including one case before the concert began. Social media erupted with anger toward organizers Live Nation and Nationals Park, accusing them of ignoring basic safety measures. Fans highlighted that Stray Kids were the only ones actively trying to help attendees.
“And fck live nation because why are stray kids themselves the only ones trying to take care of the fans when they’re actively performing? having to give stays the water meant for the members because the venue was charging for water/making ppl throw theirs out is crazy.”*
After the show, Stray Kids held an unscheduled livestream to apologize and check on fans. Members emphasized that the audience handled the crisis well, praising fans for helping each other. Supporters worldwide rallied online, stressing that the group shouldn’t blame themselves.
“Please do not blame yourselves for this. you did everything you could with what you were given, just as stays were. This isn’t yalls fault… it’s live nation and the stadium would are at blame.”
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This isn’t the first time Stray Kids faced tour disruptions. Their April concert in Lima, Peru, was paused after a fan fainted, with Bang Chan immediately stopping the show to ensure safety. However, the DC incident was far more severe due to the scale of heat-related illnesses.
The dominATE tour, which began in August 2024, has otherwise been a major success, with sold-out shows across Asia, Australia, and North America. The Washington DC stop, however, has sparked demands for better safety protocols at live events, particularly during extreme weather.
