Singer Jason Isbell, an avowed "friend to children, the vaccinated, and those with certain underlying medical conditions," was forced to cancel his concert in Texas on Wednesday (August 11) at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in Houston.
The reason: The venue was apparently unable or unwilling to comply with Isbell's stated health and safety standards, requiring all attendees at his shows to be fully vaccinated or provide proof of a negative COVID test.
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Isbell recently shared a statement through his record label saying he will require his concert attendees to show proof of vaccination or a 72-hour negative COVID test highlighting his fear that anything less could send everyone, including live performers, back into lockdown.
"It’s been a truly cathartic and joyful experience to see people return to shows again, and we are committed to doing everything in our power to keep the crowds safe during this time," the statement reads.
Jason's label, Southeastern Records, told fans about the cancelation saying the venue was "not willing to comply" with the updated safety standards, but a statement released on behalf of the venue noted that it supported Isbell’s new rules. Their issue, apparently, was the timing.
"We are all on the same page here and we agree with what Jason Isbell would like to implement, but there is a timing issue," the statement reads. "To implement a major change in policy such as what is requested will take more time than we have."
Isbell wasn't hearing it though. He called the venue’s statement "false" on Twitter, even proposing Live Nation made them aware of the situation weeks prior, and claims they "flat-out refused to implement the policy."
Proof of vaccination and/or negative COVID tests are quickly becoming the norm as more and more artists begin to hit the road. Concert promoter AEG just revealed that it will require fans to display vaccine proof or a negative COVID test from no more than 72 hours prior to an event, in order to attend shows at their US venues starting on October 1.
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