Radiohead has been the focus of several Live Fix explorations over the years and it saddens us to share the tragic news of their stage collapsing in Toronto. Here’s a statement released by the band shortly after the incident.
As you will probably have heard the roof over the stage collapsed at our show in Toronto killing crew member Scott Johnson and injuring three other crew members. The collapse also destroyed the light show – this show was unique and will take many weeks to replace. The collapse also caused serious damage to our backline, some elements of which are decades old and therefore hard to replace.
Whilst we all are dealing with the grief and shock ensuing from this terrible accident there are also many practical considerations to deal with & consequently we have to try and reschedule the following shows:
June
30 Roma Hippodrome CapanelleJuly
1 Firenze Parco delle Cascine
3 Bologna Arena Parco Nord
4 Codroipo Villa Manin
6 Berlin Wuhlheide
7 Berlin Wuhlhedie
9 St Triphon Carriere des AndoncesWe aim to announce the new dates for these shows on Wednesday 27th of June and will also supply information on how to obtain refunds on tickets if you cannot come to the show on the new date.
We will start playing live again at Les Arenes Nimes, Bilbao BBK festival and Lisbon Optimus Alive festival.
We will make every effort to offer the fans the very best show possible under the circumstances – thanks for your understanding and support.
As Rolling Stone reports, the incidenet is still under investigation and many questions remain. And industry experts are still surprised at the collapses that have occured in the last year.
“It’s not a theater, it’s not an arena, so you’ve got to go to a company that builds outdoor stages. Hopefully you’ll check and make sure they’ve got the experience and references,” says John Scher, a veteran New York City promoter who also manages acts such as Art Garfunkel. “It’s the promoter’s responsibility to be able to hire somebody who can deliver the specifications that the production manager and the act ask for.”
Scher, like many fans and concert organizers, is dismayed by the number of stage collapses that have happened since last summer, from a non-fatal incident before a Cheap Trick show at the Ottawa Bluesfest to a horrifying Indiana State Fair tragedy in which seven people died. “I’m puzzled,” Scher says. “This never happens – or hasn’t. We went through 30 years of outdoor rock concerts and the only time you heard of some of this was in Podunk, Utah, when they didn’t use a professional company.”
Radiohead has since announced on their website dates for the rescheduled shows:
SEPTEMBER
Thursday 20th – Switzerland, Canton de Vaud – Quarry of St Triphon
Saturday 22nd – Italy, Roma – Hyppodrome Capanelle – Rock in Roma
Sunday 23rd – Italy, Florence – Parco Delle Cascine
Tuesday 25th – Italy, Bologna – Arena Parco Nord
Wednesday 26th – Italy, Codroipo (Udine) – Villa Manin
Saturday 29th – Germany, Berlin – Wuhlheide (this replaces the 6th July show)
Sunday 30th – Germany, Berlin – Wuhlheide (this replaces the 7th July show)All original tickets are valid for the re-scheduled date.
However, if you are unable to attend the re-scheduled date please visit the tour date page and click on the relevant date for refund information.
The Profound Power of Live Music
As with all the other tragic stage collapses we’ve explored in the last year, we’ll continue to keep you updated this Radiohead story.
That said, here’s a few Live Fix experiments that have got me reflecting on the emotional impact of the Radiohead incident. Reading the press release it’s obviosus that this moment will profoundly influence the band and their fans during their live show for a long time.
And as you cruise through these explorations it’s obvious that live music plays a major role in helping us process and cope with traumatic events that happen at concerts or during other times of our lives.
Have You Witnessed A Tragic Concert Event?
Have you seen Radiohead live before? Will you be seeing them when their tour continues?
Share your concert experiences and thoughts in the comments below, or call the concert fan hotline at 773-609-4341, and we’ll include them in a future episode of Live Fix Radio.