As gray clouds rolled over Flavet Field, eager concert-goers crowded in front of the band shell for Swampfest, hoping the weather would hold.
But it didn’t, and Matt and Kim never played.
Rhythm-and-blues group AHMIR opened the show without incident.
By the time Cults came on, people stood shoulder to shoulder, swatting at bugs and wiping sweat from their necks.
At 8:45 p.m., a Swampfest representative announced that Matt and Kim would be postponed until at least 30 minutes after the most recent lightning strike.
Some people left, but others stuck it out. As it began to rain, and then pour, people started to seek shelter in their cars, under umbrellas and under tents.
“Some creative people went as far as to take the cardboard trash bins and make a makeshift shelter,” said 21-year-old UF mechanical and aerospace engineering senior Brandon Chandra.
University officials and police canceled the concert for safety reasons at about 9:30 p.m., Student Government Productions Chairman Daniel Levin said.
UF biology junior Michael Bank, 20, traveled from Boca Raton to see Matt and Kim.
“I’m grateful that they tried to bring Matt and Kim, but at the same time it was kind of irresponsible to do it in the summer,” he said. “Everyone knows there are frequent thunderstorms, but ... that’s just part of putting on an outdoor concert.”
At about 9:45 p.m., Matt and Kim offered a meet-and-greet for those who waited in the rain.
“They really wanted the fans to know that it wasn’t their fault that they couldn’t play,” Levin said. “They were really bummed.”
Matt and Kim are still being paid in full.
SGP would not disclose the amount.
Madeline Follin, of Cults, sings on Friday during Swampfest 2013. Cults opened, along with the band Ahmir for Matt and Kim, whose performance was canceled due to thunderstorms.
