Why did police shut down Chainsmokers' surprise ASU frat concert? Drama explained

On April 18, 2025, videos showed The Chainsmokers arriving unannounced at ASU’s FIJI fraternity house in Tempe, Arizona. Clips show Alex Pall and Drew Taggart unloading DJ gear from a black SUV onto a packed balcony. Hundreds of students gathered quickly, livestreaming the surprise performance ahead of the weekend’s Breakaway Festival.

Posts described an “EDM invasion” as speakers and lights turned the frat deck into an open‑air club. Unaware of required permits, attendees enjoyed the pop‑up set until local police were already on their way.

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Setting up the surprise Chainsmokers' show

The Chainsmokers set up their console on the fraternity’s second‑floor deck around 10 PM Friday. They connected speakers and lighting without pause, prompting cheers as wiring and sound checks began.

Many students said they learned of the free show through social media, sharing group chat alerts. Alex Pall started the first track, blending classic hits with recent remixes to ignite the crowd. Phones recorded every beat as railings filled with eager undergraduates captured the scene on camera.

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Police arrived and halted the music at the Chainsmokers' show

Thirteen minutes into the set, Tempe police officers appeared on the balcony and cut power to the system. Officers explained the gathering lacked a noise permit and exceeded occupancy limits for a private home.

They also cited concerns over underage drinking, ordering anyone under 21 to leave the area immediately. Students recorded as officers powered down equipment mid‑beat, capturing the abrupt end of the music. The sudden quiet replaced earlier cheers, with attendees dispersing to nearby yards after police instructions.

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Covering the fine and resuming the Chainsmokers' show

After issuing a citation to the fraternity for unauthorized assembly and noise violations, police paused enforcement. The Chainsmokers volunteered to pay the fine, easing tensions and allowing the event to continue.

With fees settled, officers stepped back as students cheered for the duo’s return to the decks. Alex Pall and Drew Taggart performed an additional fifteen‑minute set featuring both early hits and new edits. Security monitored the rest of the evening without interruption, wrapping up the pop‑up concert smoothly.

Crowd reactions and social sharing

Users on TikTok quickly shared clips, tagging friends to join the livestream amid the surprise show. Comments praised the duo’s spontaneity and noted how rare it is for major artists to crash campus parties.

Some posts expressed frustration over the shutdown, wishing the set could have run longer without interruption. Others highlighted how the incident built momentum for The Chainsmokers’ festival performance the next day. Overall, the online buzz kept the story trending through the early morning hours across multiple platforms.

The impromptu ASU frat show underscores the excitement and challenges of surprise performances. Fans enjoyed a unique pop‑up concert, while police enforcement highlighted the need for proper permits.

By complying and covering the citation, The Chainsmokers minimised conflict with authorities. Social media posts spread the story quickly, fueling conversation before Breakaway Festival weekend.

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