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Music News

ODESZA Show at Gorge Ends Early Due to Pyrotechnics-Sparked Brush Fire

The small, accidental blaze on Saturday was quickly extinguished and no injuries were reported.

ODESZA

ODESZA

Tonje Thilesen

A small brush fire near the Gorge Amphitheater in George, WA on Saturday (July 6) near the end of a show by ODESZA was sparked by on-stage pyrotechnics. Fox News 13 in Seattle reported that the Grant County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the blaze broke out in a small area near the venue during the last song by the electronic duo from nearby Bellingham comprised of Harrison Mills and Clayton Knight.

The incident came during the final gig in a three-show run at the picturesque venue on ODESZA’s three-year The Last Goodbye tour, which has hit 54 shows at 48 venues across North America. The fire was quickly extinguished and the show was cancelled, with fans asked to leave the venue.


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In a statement, the venue said, “During the last song of ODESZA’s set at the Gorge, a brush fire broke out not far from the stage. The fire was contained and fortunately was quickly extinguished. Out of an abundance of caution and safety, the show ended without an encore. We truly appreciate everyone coming tonight and celebrating the end of the tour.”

Prior to the show, the venue issued a high heat warning and the state Department of Natural Resources’ said the fire danger in the region was “very high, according to the Seattle Times. At press time it did not appear as if the group had addressed the fire on their socials and a spokesperson for the group had not returned requests for comment. The duo’s Last Goodbye tour grossed $35.8 million and sold 601,000 tickets in 2022 and 2023 according to figures reported to Billboard Boxscore.

The show at the iconic venue 150 miles southeast of the pair’s hometown was slated to draw more than 66,000 fans over three nights.

See the statement and fan footage of the fire below.

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This article was originally published by Billboard U.S.
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Howard Willett (right) with Whiskey Jack
Courtesy photo

Howard Willett (right) with Whiskey Jack

FYI

Obituaries: Toronto Harmonica Ace/Vocalist Howard Willett Remembered By His Peers

This week we also acknowledge the passing of The Cure keyboardist/guitarist Perry Bamonte, bubblegum hitmaker Jerry Kasenetz, influential U.S. label head Howie Klein and innovative jazz musician Michal Urbaniak.

Howard Willett, a vocalist and harmonica player with the Bebop Cowboys, Whiskey Jack and many other Ontario country/roots outfits, died on Dec. 31. His age has not been reported.

On his Perlich Post blog, Toronto music journalist Tim Perlich says, "I'm saddened to hear that Parry Sound-born singer/harmonica ace Howard Willett has passed away. Howard was a longtime performer on the Toronto scene, well known for his work with the Bebop Cowboys, Swing-a-Billy Orchestra, Whiskey Jack, Junction City AllStars, The Shifters and many others. He'll be greatly missed."

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