The roof of Maryland’s Merriweather Post Pavilion collapsed early Saturday morning, crashing to the earth but thankfully not injuring anyone, as it occurred in the middle of the night. The damage will require the roof to be replaced entirely, but it should not have any impact the venue’s upcoming events, according to a statement posted on Twitter.
“Of course we will rebuild,” it said. “And the 2018 season will start as planned.”
The roof was in the final stages of a renovation that was to raise the structure by 20 feet, in order to allow for better views of the stage for those on the venue’s spacious lawn. “The roof was in its near-final position and the next anticipated step was to secure it permanently,” the statement said. “However, at around 2:30 this morning, the roof unexpectedly fell. Thankfully no one was injured, which is the most important thing of all.”
Venue officials say an investigation to why the roof failed is underway. According to the Washington Post, winds in the area – approximately halfway between Washington D.C. and Baltimore – gusted upwards of 40 mph around the time of the roof’s collapse.
The only event currently listed on MPP’s calendar for 2018 is a Sugarland concert scheduled for July 14. Shows typically run from April through September at the venue, which hosted Dierks Bentley, Bon Iver, The Chainsmokers, Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds, Steve Miller Band, Vans Warped Tour and more in 2017, according to a schedule of events posted on the local Patch.com page last April.
Last year was the venues 50th anniversary, and it has frequently landed on media listings of the top places to see live music in the country, such as Billboard’s naming it the country’s second-best Amphitheatre in 2010.
Merriweather Post Pavilion Roof Collapse Statement:
— Merriweather Post (@MerriweatherPP) January 13, 2018