Following the cancellation, the angry punkers began rioting by smashing windows and setting cars on fire after they overturned them. According to local police, the riot broke out shortly after 8 p.m. local time after the show’s promoters told the 800 waiting fans that the show would not go on.

According to a Montreal police spokesperson that was when things turned ugly. 

Canadian TV channel LCN is reporting that the show was cancelled because customs officials refused admission into the country for some of the members of The Exploited. 

The owner of the club was informed that the band had been barred from the country at about 7:15 p.m., according to an MTV report. At that point they reportedly called in local police to handle any problems. The fans were informed of the cancellation after approximately 15 local police officers arrived on the scene. 

The police were unable to quell the riot and called in the riot squad to help get things under control. The riot squad arrived at about 9 p.m. and blocked off several blocks surrounding the riot. At that point the crowd broke up but continued to break windows as they left the area. 

The riot engulfed one city block of Montreal surrounding the venue. When the dust settled six stores had their windows smashed and a half a dozen other businesses were vandalized, 42 cars had their windows smashed and at least eight cars were overturned and set on fire. 

Seven rioters have been arrested on various charges. Two police officers reportedly suffered minor injuries during the fracas.