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Barclays Center Steps Up Security Screenings For Avicii Show

NEW YORK(CBSNewYork) -- Extra security was on hand ahead of a performance by Swedish DJ Avicii at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn Saturday night.

As CBS 2's Dave Carlin reported, when Avicii took the stage, he performed for a big crowd of fans who were checked and double-checked at the doors.

Barclays Center Steps Up Security Screenings For Avicii Show

The arena put new measures in place after chaos erupted during Avicii's show in Boston earlier this week.

More than 30 people were rushed to area hospitals and as many as 50 were treated at TD Garden during the concert.

Boston police said the club drug "Molly" played a big role, in some cases dangerously mixed with alcohol and in overly hot conditions, Carlin reported.

"I don't understand why people can't just listen to music and have fun," said Bay Ridge resident Francois Naaman.

ambulances
Line of ambulances outside Barclays Center ahead of Avicii concert on June 28, 2014 (Credit: Gary Baumgarten/1010 WINS)

On Saturday, concertgoers saw more police officers on hand, as well as drug-sniffing dogs. There was also mandatory pat downs for anyone who wanted to enter, Carlin reported.

"The more safety the better in general. I don't think it really hurts us to have to go through extra measures to do that," said Upper West Side resident Sydney Hard.

Multiple ambulances were already lined up outside the venue before the concert began. Though it was a pretty uneventful night for paramedics inside them, Carlin reported.

As 1010 WINS' Gary Baumgarten reported, the Barclays Center also instituted bans on certain items that are common at electronic dance music concerts, including laser pointers, dust masks, eye drops and stuffed animals.

The venue also prohibited moshing, crowd surfing and stage diving, Baumgarten reported.

Ticket holders had to be at least 18 years old to enter the venue. Barclays staff were checking IDs before attendees could enter.

Barclays Turns Parents, Young Teens Away At Avicii Concert

Crowds of unhappy parents also lined the streets outside Barclays Saturday night, after they showed up with their underage teenagers and were turned away, despite the promise of adult supervision, Baumgarten reported.

"I had these tickets for months to bring my friends who are really interested in this show, and we all came together and now they're in and I can't," said one woman, who drove two hours to the show, but was turned away at the door because she brought her 16-year-old daughter.

Another couple standing outside with their 13-year-0ld daughter said they spent nearly $100 per ticket but weren't allowed in because of their daughter's age.

"My wife bought the tickets online, but they didn't see age limit on there, having to be 18 years or older. But I guess she missed that or I don't know if it's really on the website or not. Now we end up with three tickets and can't go in," the father said.

Avicii is one of the hottest music acts in the world, but trouble has been following him on tour.

In September, two young people died from drugs at the Electric Zoo Music Festival on Randalls Island. Avicii was among the headliners, which also included Diplo, David Guetta, Steve Aoki and Armin Van Buuren.

"Electric Zoo they ended it early because someone overdosed on drugs, that ruined it for all the kids who paid hundreds of dollars," said Naaman.

He was also one of the headliners at the Electric Daisy Carnival festival in Las Vegas last weekend where two concertgoers died and hundreds more needed medical attention. Police said nearly 800 people were treated for medical conditions and 25 were hospitalized during the three-night electronic music event, which featured pulsing lights, Ferris wheels, seven stages of music and other DJs including Diplo, Afrojack and Tiesto.

As of 11 p.m., there were no reports of any arrests or injuries at the Barclays Center, Carlin reported.

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