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Welsh bands affected by Pukkelpop disaster

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James McLaren James McLaren | 08:22 UK time, Friday, 19 August 2011

Two Welsh bands have fallen victim to the cancellation of Belgium's festival in the wake of yesterday's disaster which saw five people killed in a stage collapse caused by a sudden, violent storm.

Kids In Glass Houses were meant to be playing today while The Joy Formidable were due to play tomorrow.

Last night KIGH "Our thoughts go out to everyone at Pukkelpop." Shay of the band : "Absolutely gutted about the Pukkelpop news. Shocking."

I spoke to Simon Young, deputy editor of Kerrang! magazine this morning. He said: "Those who run Pukkelpop have a great reputation as being some of the most kind and accommodating people in the music industry. This festival - like Download, Sonisphere, Reading, Leeds or Germany's Rock am Ring and Rock Im Park - is an extremely important part and much loved fixture of the European circuit. Many of the bands I've spoken to have nothing but good things to say about the festival and the fans who attend.

"We were all very shocked when we heard the news. We watched YouTube footage of one of the stages collapsing and couldn't believe how much destruction the weather was causing to the site. Our deepest sympathies go to the friends and families of those who were killed or injured. Imagine a loved one going to a rock festival and never coming back; it's too upsetting to comprehend."

Pukkelpop is one of Europe's main outdoor festivals and over 60,000 people were believed to have been on site. Some of the world's major acts have reacted to the disaster. : "Our hearts go out to everyone affected by the tragic events at Pukkelpop. For information +32 (0) 11 23 97 11."

: "We are all safe at Pukkelpop. Crazy storm. This is awful. Hearts go out to all." Blink 182's Travis Barker : "Really sad about Pukkelpop. Another stage collapses [5] dead and tons of people hurt. My heart goes out. Not supposed to happen at shows."

Skunk Anansie were playing the main stage when the storm hit. Singer Skin curtailed the set and made a swift exit for the sake of self-preservation. She : "My heart goes out to those kids who came to see their favourite bands and ended up losing their lives and getting hurt, so sad right now.".

Here is a view of debris in the air at the end of Skunk Anansie's set:

The Chateau stage at the site was brought down in the storm, while the Shelter stage was damaged. Trees were uprooted and many tents and equipment were destroyed.

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