Everything Music. Everything News. Everything live.

Pyrotechnics at Disturbed Concert Damages Chicago Bulls Championship Banners

Sven Mandel, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Sven Mandel, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

In a rather unexpected turn of events, all six of the Chicago Bulls' championship banners, which had become iconic representations of their 1990s dominance led by basketball legend Michael Jordan, were pulled down from the rafters of the United Center. This occurred following minor damage sustained during a concert by the heavy metal band Disturbed, hosted at the venue. The pyrotechnic display, which is a signature of Disturbed's performances, resulted in sufficient heat to warp and damage the lower halves of these historic banners. Consequently, the banners will remain absent for the entirety of the current NBA season, as repairs are undertaken to restore them to their previous glory.

The United Center, home to the Chicago Bulls and NHL's Chicago Blackhawks, issued a statement acknowledging the damage and expressed its commitment to working alongside the Bulls to facilitate repairs. While the staff considers the damage as “minor,” the fabric warping was significant enough to require the removal of the banners until next season.

Disturbed, a band with deep roots in Chicago since its formation in 1994, returned to their hometown as part of their tour celebrating the 25th anniversary of their breakout album, “The Sickness.” This homecoming, unfortunately, resulted in the inadvertent damage to a piece of the city's sports history. While it is yet unclear in which part of the performance the damage occurred, fans captured video showing the banners swaying amid flames during the set. Despite this incident, the band has maintained its reputation as avid supporters of Chicago sports, which was evident when drummer Mike Wengren sported jerseys from both the Bulls and the Chicago Blackhawks.

The arena's management had initially hoped that the banners would be reinstated sooner, ideally before the Bulls faced off against the Brooklyn Nets. However, logistical and repair considerations have extended the absence to the season's end. During this time, other banners celebrating division titles and conference championships remain unaffected, standing tall and undamaged in the arena’s rafters.

 

Key Takeaways

Related Stories

Rush 2026 Tour Dates: 11 New Dates Added Due To Demand

Rush is bolstering its highly anticipated Fifty Something reunion tour by adding 11 new shows. The expansion responds to intense…

Dolly Parton’s Health: What We Know So Far Following Her Sister’s Alarming Statement

Country music legend Dolly Parton is facing renewed public concern following announcements that she is postponing major performances due to…

ChatGPT and Spotify Team Up for Music Recommendations, But Should We Be Excited or Worried?

Introduction ChatGPT and Spotify have announced a new partnership that lets users request personalized music and podcast recommendations directly through…

Foo Fighters Surprise Fans with Live EP “Are Playing Where??? Vol. 1”

The Foo Fighters have dropped a surprise new live EP titled Are Playing Where??? Vol. 1, capturing the raw energy…

The Who, John Fogerty, Def Leppard, Cheap Trick & more rock backyard benefit for Teen Cancer America

Rock legends The Who returned to the stage for an unforgettable night in Los Angeles, hosting their 10th annual Backyard…

Neil Peart and Geddy Lee of Rush Rush in concert, Austin, Texas - 16 May 2015

Rush Announces Long-Awaited Return to the Road with 2026 “Fifty Something” Tour

Legendary Canadian progressive rock band Rush is officially hitting the road again. After more than a decade since their last…

The Who’s Final North American Performance: Setlist, Moments, and an Emotional Farewell

  Quick takeaways The Who closed their North American Farewell Tour—“The Song Is Over”—on October 1, 2025, at Acrisure Arena…

MAX WEINBERG ( Drums) and BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN and the E Street Band perform onstage during the opening night of The Land of Hope and Dreams Tour at Co-op Live Arena on May 14, 2025, in Manchester, England. The 2025 tour is SPRINGSTEEN's first major European run since 2023 and features classic hits alongside material from his recent albums. The show took place at the UK's newest and largest indoor arena. Bruce Springsteen Opens The Land Of Hope And Dreams Tour In Manchester, United Kingdom - 14 May 2025

Bruce Springsteen Stuns NYFF With Acoustic “Land of Hope and Dreams”

Bruce Springsteen made a surprise appearance at the 63rd New York Film Festival in New York City on September 28,…

REO Speedwagon Reunites: Rock Legends Come Together Once More

In late September 2025, fans got a shock — and a thrill — when REO Speedwagon reunited onstage for the…