Prioritize the Safety of Concertgoers

Concerts+like+Travis+Scotts+Astroworld%2C+which+toures+St.+Louis+in+February+2019%2C+need+to+be+more+regularly+enforced.+This+includes+limiting+ticket+sales+and+checking+whether+attendees+purchased+tickets+and+their+vaccination+status.

Media by Noelle Politte

Concerts like Travis Scott’s Astroworld, which toures St. Louis in February 2019, need to be more regularly enforced. This includes limiting ticket sales and checking whether attendees purchased tickets and their vaccination status.

As my social media feed filled with Astroworld content on Friday, Nov. 5, I saw how incredibly unfortunate and poorly handled the situation was that left eight dead and countless injured. 

Fans screamed as people around them passed out. Audience members yelled at Scott to shut down the show. A female fan climbed onto the stage crying in pain so Scott would stop performing and help those who lay on the ground not breathing.

Eight dead: Madison Dubiski, 23; Axel Acosta, 21; Brianna Rodriguez, 16; Danish Baig, 27; Franco Patiño, 21; Jacob Jurinek, 20; John Hilgert, 14; Madison Dubiski, 23; Rudy Peña, 23.

Scott either didn’t hear or listen to any cries of help. I find it hard to believe he was unaware of the chaos that was taking place.

A day later, he issued an apology for the tragedy on Instagram, resulting in numerous parody videos mocking what seemed to be a lack of genuine concern. 

My feed is filled with clips from other performers’ concerts standing up and stopping their shows when fans were getting too rowdy or were being harassed. This compared to Scott’s lack of halting the chaos for which he has continued to get bashed and rightfully so.

The venue was packed with 50,000 people leaving barely any room for concert goers to breathe or move. With a large name like Scott performing, I would expect better security and management. 

Concert safety is now an even more crucial issue. 

A 9 year old has brain damage after attending the event. Loved ones should not have to worry about whether their kids will be safe or even come home alive from a concert, but now these thoughts may circulate through their minds.

As a teen, I would think twice before buying tickets to a concert of a big time artist such as Scott. 

Scott compromised his fan’s safety and should face repercussions. He has announced that he will offer refunds to concert attendees and pay for funeral costs of those who passed; however, the pain and trauma felt cannot be erased by these gestures. 

I predict that futuristically teens will continue to attend concerts but may be more hesitant and selective about which ones to go to. This concert should be the catalyst for improving concert safety regulations so as to prevent disparities like this from recurring.