TEXAS — Gov. Greg Abbott formed the Texas Task Force on Concert Safety in November, following Houston’s Astroworld tragedy that took the lives of 10 and injured over 300. The group’s responsibility was to strategize ways to create better security at live music events. The team released its final report on concert safety Wednesday.

“I thank the Texas Task Force on Concert Safety for their commitment to safety and security for all concertgoers and for their collaboration with stakeholders on this critical report,” said Gov. Abbott. “The recommendations, findings, and solutions detailed in this report will help the State of Texas prevent another tragedy like that at Astroworld Festival from happening again.” 

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Texas Music Office Director Brendon Anthony led several discussions with safety experts, law enforcement, firefighters, state agencies, music industry leaders and others. 

Here are the produced concert safety recommendations from TFCS:

  • Suggests requirement of event promotors to choose which emergency responders (e.g. EMS, fire, police, etc) are called to the scene, and the responders must be hired as UCC members.
  • It’s recommended that mass gathering events permitted by municipalities should follow “permit guidelines and best practices for unincorporated areas that are outlined in state statute.” Authorities are to shut down the event if not permitted or if the promoter breaches the bound of the permit.
  • The TFCS Event Production Guide has outsourced recommended documents it will place on its website for everyone to access.
  • Additonally, the guide will have training material accessible to promoters, staff, and first responders for site walkthrough drills, security briefings, communication trees, show-stop triggers and responses, and more.
  • The task force has also supported a Concert Attendee Code of Conduct, which they said should be a part of the ticketing process. This should cover all actions that could cause someone to be escorted from a concert. “The task force also recommends that venues communicate with other venue representatives that have hosted the artist before.” Event promoters should keep up a repertoire with the artist to ensure safety, due to fans' reception to artists' messaging.