x

The latest industry news to your inbox.


I'd like to hear about marketing opportunities

    

I accept IQ Magazine's Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy

14 hospitalised as storm hits Backstreet Boys concert

At least 14 people were injured at a sold-out Backstreet Boys and 98 Degrees concert over the weekend after a storm battered the WinStar World Casino and Resort venue in Oklahoma.

12,000 concert hopefuls were queuing outside the venue when heavy rain and winds as strong as 80mph caused trusses located at the entrance of the open-air venue to collapse on top of the crowd. Videos taken by witnesses to the scene show fans helping the injured before emergency services arrived.

Staff at the venue had begun the process of evacuation prior to the collapse, after lightening was seen close to the venue. According to a statement from the venue, however, some chose not to heed the warnings of staff, instead choosing to stay in line amongst the severe weather.

“This was an unusual event and our thoughts are with those who were injured during this storm”

“All patrons in the area were asked to move and to seek shelter from the storm. However, about 150 patrons who were standing in line for the Backstreet Boys concert did not heed staff’s warnings,” the statement reads.

“We know that fans often suffer through inclement weather for their favourite acts, but this was an unusual event and our thoughts are with those who were injured during this storm.”

One prospective concertgoer shared a video of the scene on Twitter, showing the aftermath of the collapse, complete with ambulances and police cars.

Members of Backstreet Boys and 98 Degrees took to Twitter to express their disappointment at the turn of events. From their official Backstreet Boys Twitter account the band said: “We never want to put our fans in harm’s way and with tonight’s weather and the injuries from earlier.

“We have decided to cancel the show and will attempt to reschedule. The most important thing is for everyone to get home safely and we will see you all very soon!”

Band member Kevin Richardson has since confirmed on Twitter that the concert will be rescheduled and has advised fans to keep their tickets.

 


Get more stories like this in your inbox by signing up for IQ Index, IQ’s free email digest of essential live music industry news.

Roof collapse at Merriweather Post Pavilion

Merriweather Post Pavilion bosses have said the Columbia, Maryland, amphitheatre is to open as planned for its 2018 concert season following a roof collapse in the early hours of Saturday morning.

The 19,319-capacity venue was in the final stages of a five-year renovation project when the roof, which was being hydraulically lifted 20 feet to improve sightlines from the lawn, “unexpectedly fell” when nearly in its final position, explains Seth Hurwitz, chairman of venue operator IMP Concerts.

No one was hurt in the accident, and a “team of experts” is assessing the reason for the collapse, he adds.

“The winds of fate decided that, instead of simply raising the roof, we should just go ahead and built a new one”

“Last night, in the middle of our months-long roof raising operation, the winds of fate prevailed and decided that, instead of simply raising the roof, we should just go ahead and built a new one,” Hurwitz says in a statement. “Was not our decision, but the bright side is all the money we save on imploding.

“Nobody was hurt. That is, of course, the most important thing. [And the] second most: everything will be ready for season opening.”

Merriweather Post Pavilion last summer celebrated the 50th anniversary of its opening with a host of upgrades and a party and concert featuring performances from Jackson Browne – who recorded three songs from 1977’s Grammy-nominated Running on Empty live at the venue – Willie Nelson and Father John Misty.

 


Get more stories like this in your inbox by signing up for IQ Index, IQ’s free email digest of essential live music industry news.

15 injured in ceiling collapse at Steve Aoki show

At least 15 people were injured in a ceiling collapse at Oslo music venue Sentrum Scene last night.

The 1,750-capacity venue was hosting a show by American DJ Steve Aoki – part of a freshers’ week event organised by the BI Norwegian Business School – when a roughly 1sqm (10.7sqft) part of the ceiling came away, showering students in chunks of plaster and concrete.

Police believe the collapse was caused by the lighting rig making contact with the ceiling, reports Norwegian tabloid Verdens Gang, although a spokeswoman declined to confirm or deny the reports, telling IQ the venue is “still awaiting more information on what happened and why”.

She adds that, “as far as we know, no one was seriously hurt, thankfully”.

Daglabet video shows the damage to the ceiling and rubble on the floor:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FseU5M63u0Q

In a statement, Sentrum Scene said it is “terribly sorry” for the accident and offered its thoughts to those “touched by the accident and to the students who where attending what was supposed to be a nice and positive event”.

Yngve Kveine, BI’s communications director, says the university is “relieved that the damage was not more serious”.

 


Get more stories like this in your inbox by signing up for IQ Index, IQ’s free email digest of essential live music industry news.