AstroWorld: A Foreshadowed Tragedy

No words can describe the sorrow and outrage surrounding the Astroworld incident. Incident, because it was no accident and could have been prevented.

On 5th November 2021, and with 50,000 fans attending Astroworld, the live music industry faced one of its most devastating events in its history. With 8 initial victims and rising as attendees succumb to their injuries, the crush was no accident it was complete criminal negligence, not only on founder Travis Scott but also on Live Nation and the American justice system.

One TikTok theory suggests that the Astroworld crush was a ritualist sacrifice, contemplating ideas of the crowd being put under a spell before the crush, through satanic ritualism embedded in the marketing and show graphics throughout the event. However, not to discredit these theories, let’s look at the hard facts between Astroworld and Travis Scott alike.

1st August 2015 - Scott is arrested after incising the crowd to jump barriers as Lollapalooza and disorderly conduct, he pleaded guilty in court… and he paid a fine.

13th May 2017 - Scott arrested in Arkansas after prompting that fans breach barricades and overrun security, he pleaded guilty to inciting riot…again, Scott paid a fine.

On 17th November 2018 the first Astroworld in Houston took place.

9th November 2019 - Crowd surge second Astroworld when fans breached the barricades. Resulting in 100+ extra security staff being laid on for 2021 event.

Friday 5th November 2021 - 9:30pm: crowd surge towards stage in a ‘domino effect’. Scott continued his set even after crew were notified of the incident. Half way through his set, Scott eventual told the crowd “somebody passed out right here”.

Throughout and during the aftermath 300 people were treated by medical personnel on site. With 25 transported to hospital. Several concert goers had to be revived using anti-drug overdose medication, including a security officer who was said to have injection marks on his neck. Which begs the question…were the security checks?

Saturday 6th November 2021 - Remainder of festival cancelled, you would think so!

Monday 7th November 2021 - Full refunds given to all attendees.

The youngest victim at Astroworld was 9 year old, Ezra Blount after succumbing to his trample injuries in hospital.

Travis Scott and Drake are being accused of inciting riot and violence at this years Astroworld and with previous incidents taking place, why has this been allowed to happen again. Is it a case of a lack of health and safety awareness? Is it criminal negligence…yes. Live nation is also being sued for failing to implement proper security and emergency response measures

Criminal negligence is defined as ‘conduct in which a person ignores a known or obvious risk, or disregards the life and safety of others’. Obvious no? Tour manager and event host Matt Russell believes the Live Nation is largely to blame and that ‘Astroworld shouldn’t, legally have been allowed to take place”.

Scott has since offered to pay for the funeral costs of the victims a cost he would not be paying and an experience the families would not have to go through, had Scott just gone to prison rather than paid a fine.