Congress Launches Probe into Live Nation's Role in Astroworld Tragedy

By ShaCamree Gowdy Published: December 23, 2021

Congress Launches Probe into Live Nation’s Role in Astroworld Tragedy

In Summary

A House Congressional Committee has requested information regarding the role Live Nation played in the “mass casualty” Astroworld event.

A congressional commission is looking into whether Live Nation took adequate steps to prevent the catastrophe at Travis Scott’s Astroworld Festival in November, which resulted in the deaths of 10 people and the injuries of hundreds more.

In a letter sent to Live Nation’s president and CEO Michael Rapino, the House Oversight and Reform Committee asked for information regarding the “tragic events” of Nov. 5.

The request comes after Scott teamed up with government and music industry executives to launch a program aimed at making future performances safer, Complex reported.

“Recent reports raise serious concerns about whether your company took adequate steps to ensure the safety of the 50,000 concertgoers who attended Astroworld Festival,” the Members wrote. “For instance, reports indicate that security and medical staff were inexperienced or ill-equipped to deal with mass injuries. Some attendees stated that the placement of barricades made it difficult to escape.”

Experts have said that Astroworld Festival organizers failed to heed warning signs, according to the committee.

The festival disaster reportedly joins a lengthy record of other terrible occurrences and safety violations involving Live Nation, which has been fined or sued multiple times for hazards at previous concerts, including other accidents involving rushing fans or stampedes.

“We are deeply saddened by the deaths that occurred at Astroworld Festival and are committed to investigating what went wrong to inform possible reforms that could prevent future tragedies,” the Members added.

The Harris County Medical Examiner deemed the 10 deaths accidental due to compression asphyxia, per KTRK News.

While Scott is not named in the committee’s request, the “SICKO MODE” rapper has lost a slew of endorsements and has been named in more than 140 lawsuits since the festival, which include guest artist and fellow rapper Drake, Live Nation and several others connected to NRG Park and Scoremore Holdings.

Live Nation has until January 7, 2022 to disclose details on their roles and responsibilities at Astroworld. A briefing on the topics is also requested by Jan. 12.