It’s certainly not uncommon for fans to say that the roof was blown off after a particularly electrifying DJ set, but attendees at Los Angeles’ Exchange club got a more literal—and less thrilling—version over the weekend.
In a twist that no drop could have prepared the crowd for, a section of the nightclub’s ceiling unexpectedly fell to the dancefloor, bringing the high-octane performance of Dutch hardstyle artist Brennan Heart to an abrupt halt.
Exchange LA’s response was prompt. Immediately thereafter, the venue’s LED screen was emblazoned with the message, “EXIT DANCEFLOOR.” Management acted decisively, halting the music to prioritize the safe and orderly evacuation of the crowd. No serious injuries were recorded.
In the immediate wake of the incident, firsthand accounts began percolating on TikTok with video footage capturing the sudden shift from a night of dance and celebration to one of surprise and swift evacuation.
Speculation surrounding the cause of the collapse focuses on the recent heavy rainfall in Southern California, which raises critical questions about the integrity of historic buildings repurposed for modern use. Such is the case for Exchange LA, a club that presently resides in the 1930s-era Los Angeles Stock Exchange Building.
Neither the proprietors of Exchange LA nor the event’s organizers have commented publicly on the incident at the time of writing.