Harmony G.
Yelp
I used to truly love this venue. That was until November 28, 2018. I went to see LeftoverCrack who I've seen a few times before. It was odd because they were trying something new I guess, and they put the stage in the floor which initially I thought was cool. It was almost like a DIY show because we were standing just a few feet away from the band (they were not elevated or on any stage platform). I grabbed one drink from the bar and was standing towards the back of the crowd when the band started playing. About 20-30 seconds into the song someone much larger than me is shoving me from behind, I turned around to push them away at the shoulders, but my hand went into their mouth and he chomped down on it pretty hard biting me like a psycho. When I pinched his cheek with my little fingers (I'm 5,2 150lbs-- he is 6ft 220lbs) I got my hand free from his mouth. He reached back and punched me to the ground.
I fell back hitting my head on the ground, I had blood pouring from my face, and I was obviously shaken up--my boyfriend who was in the crowd came to help me while this guy started to run away. Someone from the metro staff came to meet me, he honestly couldn't have been older than 25--clearly didn't know how to deal with the situation. I was telling them call the police so I could press charges against this crazy man, but instead they encouraged him to leave the venue, and made no attempt to hold him accountable.
At that point, I was angry and in pain and my night was clearly ruined--so my head was not in a good place. The "EMT" nonchalantly agreed to assess my injury, which he was quick and unapologetic about. I was handed a paper towel and ice wrapped in it which immediately fell apart. He handed me a warm water bottle, dabbed my wound with a paper towel and said that i would be fine. He specifically said "head wounds bleed a lot more than bodily wounds," I replied "no shit" in my frustration with his lack of urgency or compassion. Apparently that set him off. He stormed out slamming a door behind him and going outside for a cigarette.
Now, I am being approached by several different men in security jackets asking me questions and telling me to calm down for being upset with the EMT and the fact that they let my attacker walk out the front door of the venue. I asked them if they had called the police to which they said the already did--but they got sloppy because someone new approached me asking if I'd like to send a police officer to take my statement...
So at this point they lied to me to cover their ass...now I'm mad and yelling at them...I demanded someone is called, I am diabetic and starting to feel sick...I was told to wait which I did...as I'm waiting a back door security guard is joking around with another coworker laughing. Obviously this was a really traumatic experience for me, so I didn't find anything to be funny and I said "what the fuck is so funny?" To which this man said "you are bitch that's why you got punched right?"
NOW I AM FUCKING MAD. What kind of venue hires people like this? And why the hell do they have back door security when they let my attacker run right out the front door? Not only was I attacked at this venue, but I was mistreated, lied to and harassed by the staff.
When the authorities finally arrived i explained my situation and they claimed to have sent patrol cars out to look for the white male (in wrigleyville...haha good luck)
I was sobbing, tired, could only see out of one eye, and obviously scared. I had my parents pick me up and take me to the emergency room where I recurved four stitches in my right eyebrow (so no--it wasn't fine) This was not to mention the antibiotics I had to be in because this psycho bit me. Or the fact that I'm a college student in the middle of finals and suffered an awful concussion from taking the hit to the ground.
This was supposed to be a night of fun seeing one of my favorite punk bands, but it clearly turned into a shit show. I didn't deserve this. I didn't deserve to be treated like this by this venue's staff. Since this has happened I have had severe PTSD, I have avoided attending events with large crowds even though this is something I have always loved. Sure the whole incident was not the Metro's fault--but this place was never held accountable for this horrific situation and the awful way they treated me. I never considered pressing charges because I don't have the time, money, energy to, I just simply have silently dealt with the trauma and it hurts my heart to even write this review.
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Metro will probably always be there because of how legendary it is, but I will always remember it for how much it caused me pain.