Here’s the latest installment of Adelman on Venues from lawyer and VP of the Event Safety Alliance, Steve Adelman on what happened at the AstroWorld Festival in Houston, TX.
Last night at AstroWorld, a festival held at NRG Stadium in Houston, at least eight people died and more than 300 others received medical treatment in a crowd crush during Travis Scott’s performance. Because we have seen too many heartbreaking incidents like this before, it is tempting to rush to judgment about the causes of this one. Let’s do better than that. Let’s ask the right questions first, then see what the facts reveal.
TULSA, OK – Church on the Move turned to Skylark AV for a renovated sanctuary sound system that includes L-Acoustics K2 L-R arrays (10 per side), three K1-SB subs flown behind each hang and eight KS28 subs arrayed below the stage. In addition, there are a dozen Kara II per side that are used as outfill arrays, two A15i as extreme sidefills, and 14 short-throw 5XT as frontfills integrated into the stage.
NEW YORK – On Nov. 8, for the first time since March 20, 2020, a planeload of tourists from the U.K. touched down at New York’s JFK airport, marking a milestone as restrictions curbing international travel were finally eased after a 20-month span. U.S. land border restrictions barring tourist travel from Canada and Mexico have also been relaxed.
FOOTHILL RANCH, CA – CUK Audio, a pro AV distributor based in the U.K. and Ireland, is partnering with Renkus-Heinz to bring the U.S.-based loudspeaker manufacturer’s sound solutions to more installations across the region.
HOUSTON – (Updated Nov. 8) A criminal investigation has begun to determine the cause of the deadly crowd surge at Astroworld Festival at NRG Park in Houston. At least eight confirmed deaths and “scores of injuries” were reported as a result of a crowd surge during rapper Travis Scott’s Nov. 5 performance. According to reports, the 50,000-strong crowd began compressing toward the stage around 9:15 p.m., causing panic and injuries until it was quickly declared a “mass casualty incident.” In addition to the onsite security, more than 55 Houston Fire Department units stepped in to perform CPR on unconscious concert-goers, with reports that 17 were rushed to area hospitals, with 11 of those in cardiac arrest. There were 300 people treated at an onsite field hospital.
The concert was ended early. The second day of the two-day festival was canceled, which was to feature Bad Bunny, Earth, Wind & Fire and Beaumont native Teezo Touchdown. A reunification center for families has been set up at the Wyndham Houston Hotel near NRG Park. (Update: Families have identified all eight victims.)
Earlier in the day, hundreds of people rushed through the entrance gates, blowing past metal detectors and security. Here’s a video from KHOU ABC 11 in Houston of the crowds rushing in:
NASHVILLE – Solotech provided an L-Acoustics K Series loudspeaker system for NF’s Clouds tour, pairing K3 outfill systems with K1/K2 mains. The tour setup also includes the use of L-Acoustics’ P1 AVB processor to ensure sonic consistency.
HOT SPRINGS, AR – For the new 15,000-square-foot event space added to Oaklawn Racing Casino, AV integration firm TMG Systems worked with design firm Jerrold Stevens of Marsh/PMK International LLC and installed an EAW P.A. system with 20 Anna loudspeakers and 12 Otto subwoofers.
BERLIN, CT – The Music People (TMP) promoted Tom Tedesco to president and CEO. TMP also announced that Sharon Hennessey and John Hennessey, current co-presidents, have been named chairwoman and chairman. Jam Industries, which recently rebranded as Exertis | Jam, acquired TMP in 2020.
