Metallica postponement prompts crowd disturbances in India

Indian fans of rock-band Metallica have run riot in India after the group postponed their first-ever concert in the country.

The band was set to headline the F1 Rocks concert outside of New Delhi as part of the country's inaugural Formula One Grand Prix last evening (Friday 28th October).

However, thousands of fans who had gathered at venue hours before showtime to ensure a good view of their idols were left devastated when organisers announced that due to technical concerns the gig had to be postponed for 24 hours.

The fans then pushed past barriers and rushed the stage smashing equipment and hurling bottles in chaotic scenes.

Newspaper pictures showed piles of shattered equipment and the Times of India said one man broke his leg when he was pushed down a stairwell in a stampede.

In a statement late on Friday, the group explained "we are deeply disappointed with this news as we were looking forward to our first experience in India as much as you guys were,"

The Times of India, which pictured youths in Metallica T-shirts shouting and showing their middle fingers, said fans tore down sound systems, barriers and hoardings, and threw bottles at the stage and LED display screens.

Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah tweeted "I'm glad my sons got out from the #Metallica madness unscathed. Why can't we organise an event without drama????"

Metallica will now perform later today, while contemporary pop sensations Lady Gaga is set to perform after the staging of India's first Formula One race on Sunday evening.

Image: Metallica's James Hetfield.