Travis Scott and Live Nation are being sued over Astroworld Festival tragedy

Image by Daniel Sannwald

Live Nation and rapper Travis Scott are being sued by an injured audience member from last week’s Astroworld festival, according to Billboard. Also named in the complaint is Scott’s label Cactus Jack Records. Last week Friday, November 5th, saw Scott’s Astroworld Festival end in what officials are calling a ‘mass casualty incident.’ 8 audience members died, with multiple injured and 10 cases of cardiac arrest. The incident is reported to have been caused by a surge of the audience toward the front of the stage during Scott’s performance. 

According to eyewitnesses, audience members pushed forward as a timer ticked down before Scott took the stag then surged forward when artist Drake came out as a guest. Members of the audience began to fall unconscious, causing panic. Scott continued to perform, reportedly performing for a total of 75 minutes before being told that the festival had to be shut down “in the interest of public safety.” He has been widely criticised on social media for not stopping his show despite what was happening in the audience. 

The suit, filed by Manuel Souza in Harris County District Court this past Saturday, accuses AstroWorld organisers of negligence and gross negligence, seeking at least $1 million in damages. Referring to the incident as a “predictable and preventable tragedy,” Souza blamed Scott and the organising bodies for “encouragement of violence” and stated that the festival was “a motivation for profit at the expense of concertgoers’ health and safety.”

Also on Saturday, Scott released a statement to his social media addressing the incident. “I’m absolutely devastated by what took place last night,” he said. My prayers go out to the families and all those impacted by what happened at Astroworld Festival. Houston PD has my total support as they continue to look into the tragic loss of life. I am committed to working together with the Houston community to heal and support the families in need.”