Concert promotion giant, AEG, revealed Thursday that it will require fans to display proof of vaccination against COVID-19 or a negative COVID test from no more than 72 hours prior, in order to attend events at their US venues beginning October 1.
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The announcement comes days after the leading concert promoter, Live Nation, revealed plans to support shows requiring attendees to be vaccinated or present negative COVID test results. While Live Nation ultimately leaves the decision up to each individual artist, AEG is taking matters into their own hands as they will refuse entry to any unvaccinated fans.
“We have come to the conclusion that, as a market leader, it was up to us to take a real stand on vaccination status,” said COO of AEG and chairman-CEO of AEG Presents, Jay Marciano.
“We realize that some people might look at this as a dramatic step, but it’s the right one,” Marciano continued. “We also are aware that there might be some initial pushback, but I’m confident and hopeful that, at the end of the day, we will be on the right side of history and doing what’s best for artists, fans, and live event workers.”
Major US festivals and concert venues affected by this decision include; Coachella, Stagecoach, Hangout, Firefly, Electric Forest, in addition to Los Angeles’ Staples Center, Las Vegas’ The Colosseum and New York City’s Brooklyn Steel and Webster Hall.
“Our hope is that our pro-active stance encourages people to do the right thing and get vaccinated,” concluded Marciano. “We’ve already had to deliver bad news about JazzFest this week; I think everyone can agree that we don’t want concerts to go away again, and this is the best way to keep that from happening.”
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