It's early in the investigation but this is the third time this summer that a stage or part of it has collapsed in bad weather. On July 17, 2011 at the Ottawa (Canada) Bluesfest, during a Cheap Trick concert part of the stage went down in a violent storm with one serious injury. On August 6, 2011 the Brady Block Party came to a sudden halt as a strong storm collapsed part of the stage at the Flaming Lips concert. Luckily no one was injured however, there was significant property damage.
Most concert goers do not have any idea how complicated planning and managing an event is. Especially outdoors events. Some of the challenges facing a promoter are:
- Temporary staging, including roofs, light and sound towers and rigging that the promoter may have little control over.
- Requirements from entertainers that may push the envelope of safety.
- Contradictory desires and requirements of venue management, sponsors, local emergency management authorities, the performers and others. Promoters are mindful that some entertainer contracts require complete payment, as well as transportation costs, in the event of cancellation because of "an act of God". Entertainers may not want to anger fans by cancelling a performance because of weather, that then passes quickly or isn't as severe as predicted. Emergency managers don't like to order evacuations too often, being perceived as crying wolf, possibly lessening future cooperation.
- Monetary limitations, judging whether a high impact/low probability event mediation is affordable or makes fiscal sense, in light of the very small chance of happening.
- Weather events, this year record tornadoes, record heat, record drought and severe summer storms, are challenging safety plans and procedures.
- Crowds themselves, sometimes it only takes a very few to create huge problems, such as fights, rushing the stage, throwing missiles at the performers or other concert patrons. It is not unusual for at least someone to display stunningly bad judgement, in the face of lightning, possible tornadoes and other weather mayhem, to bitterly contest being ordered to evacuate.
- Communications issues: possibly conflicting information incoming from multiple sources (weather reports, for example). Conflicting messages, such as apparently happened in Indianapolis, giving evacuation information at the same time that the concert was announced to go on as scheduled.
- Front stage areas, which have additional risks: crowding, especially dangerous if children are there. Clearly, structures may fall on what is considered "premium space" by ardent fans,
- Safety of crews, staff and entertainers: Sugarland's Tour Manager undoubtedly saved their lives, because he held the band back from taking stage, to see how the weather turned out. Tragically someone sent a tech up into the rigging, in spite of the impending storm, and that man died in the collapse.
