Ebuzz News
Archived: Caesars Army Boss Says Astroworld Disaster Seemed Predictable but Preventable. Big Lessons To Be Learnt.
International media has reported that a ninth person has died following last Friday’s tragic stampede at rapper, Travis Scott’s ‘Astroworld’ music festival in Houston, Texas. The ninth victim is a 22-year-old college student. The youngest to have succumbed to injuries so far is 14. A nine year old boy who was also seriously injured, is currently in a medically induced coma at hospital. Eighty civil lawsuits had been filed, up to Thursday, in connection with the incident. The attorney representing the entertainer, on Friday said, “There obviously was a systematic breakdown that we really need to get to the bottom of before we start pointing fingers at anyone.”
Caribbean event promotional outfit, Caesars Army is just one of many global promotional teams that often facilitate mass gatherings for the entertainment of all, and while its founder, Jules Sobian admits that none of his events exceed 10,000 patrons, he believes there are serious lessons to be learnt from this tragedy.
“This seemed like a predictable but preventable tragedy,” said Sobion, in an exclusive chat with EBUZZTT on Thursday. He lamented the devastation, but said Travis Scott has a history of inciting crowds during his performances. “That in itself seems like a red flag for me, as I would not prescribe to anybody who is of total focus or attention, inciting my crowd in dangerous activities. It will only auger badly or negatively on the event organiser itself,” he explained. “I would remember when ‘Pick up Something,’ (Grenada’s Mr. Killa)was a big song. There were certain responsible event production managers that would ensure that if any song would incite rowdiness, or cause mayhem, the song would not be played, because we are responsible for the safety and security of the event,” he said. Beyond that however, Sobion pinpointed communication among key security and safety personnel as a major area of importance in hosting any event. “It’s the collaboration and cohesion of medical, fire, police, health and safety requirements; Based on this mass casualty event, it seemed that for a 50,000 crowd, they were not able to manage the complexities of such a crowd. In essence it seemed like from before, during and after the show, there were a number of failures.”
Sobion’s team produces events like A.M Bush, IN.De.Paint.Dance, Mai Tai, Bacchanal Blocko and Bacchanal Road to name a few. He believes that protocols established with communication at the centre of it all, could essentially safeguard all involved.“From a Trinidad and Tobago context and an event promoter’s context globally, it’s a matter of the cohesion and the buy- in, and the support from a cohesive team. It also comes down to communication among the personnel who are part and parcel of the event. There must be a hub- an area of communication where all officials will be in one station, or one workplace, to receive dilemmas in one hub. I don’t think Astroworld had that,” he noted.
Jules said while in the Caribbean, most events are usually on a much smaller scale, events of the Astroworld magnitude, require a high level of production. “I know for a fact that we, as simple Caribbean people – we tend to do the right thing. Police and Fire officials play an intrinsic role in the safety of any event and that is the main thing. Communication among all involved- a cohesive collaboration of entities, is responsible for a safe event production, and that just seemed like it was not the case last weekend,” he said.
Apart from the establishment of the communications hub, which Sobion said he certainly established for Bacchanal Road, he said it is imperative that the units attached to these crucial entities, are put into place in the most strategic way. “The communications hub is necessary but you also have to strategically put in place the units of these entities, within the event so that they can actually execute in the scenario of incidents to make sure that it’s dealt with immediately,” he highlighted, adding, “Communications coming centrally is important and having all persons on alert where you can actually communicate with the entities within the event and know how to deal with the incidents – whether to have the show stopped etcetera- that’s key.” Sobion said agents under the purview of the critical safety departments are tasked with communicating any emergencies immediately so that incidents do not carry on and end up causing mass casualties.
Last Friday in Houston, concert goers said the crowd surge that essentially led to nine deaths, began when Travis Scott took the stage. According to President of the Houston Firefighters Association, Patrick Lancton, Firefighters who were stationed outside the venue were not in radio communication with the emergency medical providers hired by the concert organisers as the situation unfolded.
Ebuzz News
Jamaica’s Mavado to Receive Lifetime Award at IRAWMA Awards This Year.
David Brooks, best known as dancehall artiste, Mavado is set to be honored at this year’s 43rd International Reggae & World Music Awards (IRAWMA) awards on May 17th, in South Florida. He’ll be presented with the Special Lifetime Achievement Award which represents a celebration of resilience, dominance and legacy.
In a statement, the organizers noted that Mavado is known for his unmistakeable voice, global influence and cultural impact. “Mavado has transcended borders, elevating Dancehall to international acclaim,” the statement reads.
In addition to this night of IRAWMA’s celebration of excellence in reggae and world music, globally renowned dancehall superstar, VYBZ Kartel tops the list of more than 150 nominees with 11 nods, and competing against himself in some of the categories, he is followed by Sean Paul and Shaggy with 8 nominations, each.
On the female side, Spice, Lila Ike, and Shenseea tied with 5 nominations each. Hosted by a dynamic lineup including Comedian Dufton Shepherd, Marcia Jackson, and Oliver Mair, the evening promises electrifying performances, unforgettable tributes, and a room filled with icons, tastemakers, and industry leaders.
In a show of gratitude for his conscious musical contribution, Gramps Morgan will be recognized for his song “People Like You,” highlighted as the most outstanding Spiritually Uplifting Song since the new Millennium.Gramps will join a distinguished class of honorees including Burning Spear, Wayne Armond, and Awilo Longomba—each representing excellence across genres and generations.
Caribbean Buzz
The Bar Is Being Set. Flowers All Inclusive to Up The Game in Point Fortin, This Weekend.
It’s a brand new concept being brought to life, in Point Fortin, however its impact, according to organizers, is already proving immense. The annual Point Fortin Borough celebrations, culminates this weekend and on Sunday, an event with a bigger purpose at heart, is anticipated to draw a massive crowd to fete, for the greater good.
Naya George and Anson George spoke exclusively with Ebuzztt.com ahead of the all inclusive experience. They’re excited to see their vision come to life. Anson, a well known name on the carnival and entertainment circuit, is known for his strong involvement in the BeachHouse Carnival brand. “It’s going to be on par with BeachHouse,” he assured, asserting ‘Flowers’ as the new ‘must attend’ fete in Borough Day festivities. “There are other events happening on Sunday in Point Fortin but there’s no other event of this caliber, happening,” said Anson, explaining that a few tickets are still available for those who still want to get in.
For Naya, the effort is less about business, and more about purpose. “We are partying with a purpose. We want to let people know that this isn’t just about feting. This is the only party that’s happening in Point Fortin that’s giving back to Point Fortin,” he explained, adding that proceeds will go toward investment in the young people. “The first set of projects will be at the Point Fortin West Secondary School where the event is being held. We are going to revitalize the sports programme, playing field restoration, sporting equipment and that kind of stuff, to ensure the youths have a place to find themselves in the area of sports. Flowers is the premiere fund raiser to do these things,” said George.
Set to welcome fete lovers from 5pm on Sunday at the Point Fortin West Secondary School, Flowers will feature a cast of talented artistes, inclusive of Nadia Batson and Lyrikal. “We want to raise fund in style and with high quality at heart, hence the reason the event’s caliber is high. This is going to be a first for Point Fortin,” said Naya George.
The Point Fortin Borough experience is widely attended, with a series of cultural events leading up to the weekend of excitement that is anticipated by locals and visitors alike, each year. “Flowers has set the tone for the Borough Day evolution I think,” said Naya George. “Fusion came to an end last night,” noted Anson. He said the cultural extravaganza, which was similar to Carnival’s Flava Village, was a huge success and noted the wide variety of cultural traditions, shared between April 25th and April 30th. “If people can jump on a plane to experience Grenada carnival, we are certain they can come from West and North Trinidad to enjoy the Point Fortin Borough activities,” said Anson, making it clear that ahead of the upcoming weekend, hotel and guest house occupancy is already high.
“Borough is like a second carnival,” said Anson. He said there are fetes happening throughout the day on Friday. “When you come, you get a taste of everything you get in carnival. You get the fetes, the all inclusive, the jouvert, the street food, the culture,” he highlighted, and this year, for the very first time, fans of culture, creativity and altruism, will fete with purpose at Flowers – a distinct, top tier, premium all inclusive experience in the heart of the borough.
Tickets for the event are available online at Stacy’s House Of Hair – Point Fortin, Atherley’s By The Park – San Fernando, Terminal 4 – Long Circular Mall and online at theticketgeneral.com.
