Live Nation to require vaccination or negative test at all concert events

Beverly Hills, California – Anyone attending, performing, or working at most Live Nation events or venues will have to show proof of full Covid-19 vaccination or a negative test starting in October, the live entertainment giant confirmed over the weekend.

Festival goers attended a past show at Austin City Limits Music Festival at Zilker Park in Austin, Texas.
Festival goers attended a past show at Austin City Limits Music Festival at Zilker Park in Austin, Texas.  © IMAGO / Future Image

The California-based company, which runs numerous music festivals and concerts, such as Austin City Limits (ACL) and the Governors Ball in NYC, said the mandate will be enforced at all shows and locations where such a requirement is legally permitted.

The company's new mandate, which was initially reported by Rolling Stone, had been tested at Lollapalooza July 29 though August 1, one of Live Nation’s biggest festivals.

"Vaccines are going to be your ticket back to shows, and as of October 4th we will be following the model we developed for Lollapalooza and requiring this for artists, fans and employees at Live Nation venues and festivals everywhere possible in the US," Live Nation's president and CEO Michael Rapino said in a statement.

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The new requirement will go into effect one day after the first weekend of ACL is set to wrap.

Taking note from Lollapalooza's success

Miley Cyrus performed with Billy Idol during the first day of Lollapalooza at Grant Park in Chicago, Illinois on July 29.
Miley Cyrus performed with Billy Idol during the first day of Lollapalooza at Grant Park in Chicago, Illinois on July 29.  © IMAGO / ZUMA Wire

Lollapalooza drew about 385,000 attendees over four days, but the popular Chicago, Illinois music festival did not appear to be a coronavirus superspreader event.

The city’s health commissioner, Dr. Allison Arwady, said on Twitter that more than 90% of attendees were vaccinated and just over 200, or about 0.05%, tested positive for Covid-19 in the days following the festival, which ended August 1.

Live Nation’s announcement comes just days after the company said it would leave it up to the artists to decide on vaccine requirements.

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The company did not immediately return a request for more information Monday, but it appears that Lollapalooza’s low rate of infections might have helped spark the change.

In addition to the new vaccination or negative Covid-19 test requirements, all Live Nation employees at the company’s venues, events, and offices must also be vaccinated by early October.

As of Tuesday, ACL had yet to update their safety guidelines and requirements for weekend one or two of the festival, which is slated to kick off on October 1. Governor's Ball announced its updated entry requirements, in accordance with Live Nation's new policy, on Monday.

Cover photo: IMAGO / Future Image

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