Most concert promoters contract with outside firms for security personnel.“ They’re asked to do an incredibly critical job, but they’re underprepared to deal with what we saw at Astroworld,” one concert executive said.
after a 2011 stage collapse at the Indiana State Fair killed seven and injured dozens during a concert by the country duo Sugarland. Seventy-mph winds knocked stage equipment into packed crowds.The company has also faced wrongful-death suits that foreshadowed tragedies like Drakeo’s killing.
In response to the suit, Live Nation said, “The injuries and damages alleged were caused by the contributory negligence and/or culpable conduct of Ronald McPhatter” and that “plaintiff failed to use available means to mitigate damages.”People sign a remembrance board at a makeshift memorial for concert victims at Houston’s NRG Park, where the Astroworld Festival was held in November.Astroworld was Live Nation’s deadliest disaster since the 2017 Las Vegas festival mass shooting.
Immediately after Scott took the stage at 9:01 p.m., an overpacked crowd heaved against the railings. Terrified concertgoers screamed to stop the show; some climbed onstage to get the rapper’s attention. “What the f— is that?” Scott said as an ambulance struggled to cut through the crowd to reach injured fans. “If everybody good, put a middle finger up to the sky! You know what you came here to do.
“Many in the crowd were knocked to the ground and trampled, some were trapped and crushed against other concert attendees, while others were compressed against metal barricades,” the suit states. “The resulting catastrophic incident and carnage were easily foreseeable and preventable.” “Given the challenges live music has faced in the last two years, promoters ... might get greedy and oversell, or maximize profits and minimize things like crash barricades,” said Thomas, referencing a type of supported wall that keeps fans out of the aisles.
“You have to ensure everyone has expertise in those areas,” said Richmond, the former vice president of global security for Sony Pictures Entertainment. “It’s fundamentally about ‘Is your security service provider capable of hiring an accurate deployment of personnel who are vetted, screened and trained?’ As fundamental as that sounds, it’s even more critical now.”
Live Nation has denied claims that it failed to invest in security at Astroworld and other events. A source close to the company said it hired 1,700 security staffers for Astroworld — 1,000 more than initially budgeted. Founded in 1967, CSC provides event services at gatherings as big as the Super Bowl, the Olympics and presidential inaugurations. It also supports pro sports games and concert tours by bands such as U2 and the Rolling Stones.But CSC has faced dozens of lawsuits alleging a lack of staff training, wrongful deaths and violent assaults by staff at sports and music events. And in 2020, CSC settled a California class-action suit from employees claiming lost wages and insufficient safety equipment.
Regarding its relationship with CSC, Henrich said: “Live Nation partners with many specialized security experts on its events. Hiring specialized security personnel for large-scale festivals and events is common practice in the industry, which ensures that these crucial functions are staffed competitively by experienced and knowledgeable professionals with the requisite background and experience for a particular show.