JoJo Siwa packs out Eastland and forces fans outdoors in Melbourne exclusive performance in Ringwood

PARENTS have lashed out on social media over security concerns as more than 15,000 people crammed into Eastland shopping centre for Nickelodeon star JoJo Siwa’s concert.

UPDATE: Eastland will conduct a review for the staging of future large-scale events after unprecedented crowds and scenes for Nickelodeon star JoJo Siwa’s concert on Tuesday.

More than 15,000 people — the capacity of Rod Laver Arena — packed the Ringwood shopping centre and spilt out into the Town Square to watch the teen sensation on a big screen.

The centre opened at 6am — three hours earlier than normal — to accommodate the expected large crowds and all inside viewing areas were taken just after 9.15am.

US teen sensation Jojo Siwa drew 15,000 people to Eastland in Ringwood. Picture: Griffin Simm

After management advised fans on social media to head outdoors and watch Siwa’s performance on the big screen, the Town Square was also full by 10am.

Siwa eventually hit the stage at 10.30am, with fans outside complaining they couldn’t hear her performance on the big screen.

WERE YOU THERE? Email [e-mail] with your experience from the day.

Eastland general manager Greg Balmforth said it was the biggest crowd to attend a performance at the shopping centre.

Mr Balmforth confirmed centre management would undertake a review, with many parents lashing out on social media about safety and security issues and the centre’s ability to cope with the large crowd.

“As with all of our events, the Eastland team will undertake a review and incorporate learnings into future planning for other great events we have in store for our community,” he said.

Fans pack to Town Square at Eastland to watch JoJo Siwa’s performance on the big screen. Picture: Carrie Roussety/ Facebook

Mr Balmforth and Ambulance Victoria spokeswoman Lana Wilson confirmed there were no injuries or call-outs to the centre to treat any concertgoers.

Mr Balmforth said the turnout was “overwhelming” and he thanked patrons “for their patience and understanding during this very exciting event”.

Siwa, 15, performed at the Ringwood shopping centre in her only Melbourne show.

She performed her new song High Top Shoes and did a fashion parade showing off all her merchandise.

JoJo Siwa performs at a packed Eastland Shopping Centre in Ringwood. Picture: Griffin Simm

Readers criticised the shopping centre on its Facebook page for what they believe was poor security and management of the concert.

Elizabeth Rodrigues Guthrie wrote: “I think the event has been terribly managed. So many kids in tears!!! Not enough space at Eastland for this type of event.”

Kandichi Jordelia wrote: “Waited from 7am only to have the crowd push in front and stand up so no one could see. It was incredibly dangerous and badly managed. When security can’t even get in to tell people to sit down, that should tell you something. We ended up leaving in tears.”

Those forced into the Town Square also complained of sound issues and being unable to hear Siwa’s performance on the big screen.

Reader Bec Hill wrote: “Stood out in the cold and couldn’t hear anything! So disappointed.”

In a reply, the centre blamed the large crowds in the square for the sound issues, saying they “have not previously experienced this issue at our other Eastland community events, and we sincerely apologise for the inconvenience”.