How to Stay Safe in Concert Crowds

Summertime is the season for concerts and music festivals–and after two years of avoiding large crowds due to the pandemic, many of us are anxious to return to see our favorite live bands perform. Unfortunately, there is also some risk involved in being in a large group of people, particularly if the crowd gets out of control. Never was this driven home more poignantly than in last year’s disaster at a Travis Scott concert at Astroworld in Houston, where nine people died and dozens more were injured when the crowd rushed the stage. Many other injuries and fatalities have occurred at shows where mosh pits got out of hand or crowds stampeded toward the exits.

The good news is that there are ways to enjoy live music events while still staying safe. Here’s what you need to know.

The Biggest Risks of Crowd-Related Concert Injuries

Over a 10-year period, researchers tracked nearly 67,000 injuries and 232 deaths at hundreds of concerts across the globe. While causes of injury at concerts frequently include factors like heat exhaustion, drug/alcohol use, and dehydration, the most common injuries directly related to crowds include:

• Suffocation. When crowds press in too tightly, it can be difficult to breathe, leading to asphyxiation. This is one of the most common causes of death in stampedes and other crowd-related incidents.
• Trampling and crushing. Injuries from being stepped on or knocked down are also common, particularly if people fall and are unable to get back up. In some cases, people can be pinned against walls or other obstacles by the force of the crowd.
• Broken bones. Fractures, dislocations, and sprains can all occur when people are jostled in a crowd or fall down.
• Assaults. Stab wounds are unfortunately quite common in concert crowds, especially if someone gets into an altercation with the wrong person.

Tips for Staying Safe in Concert Crowds

• Avoid the mosh pit. While moshing can be great fun for some, it’s also a breeding ground for injuries. For safety reasons, it’s best to avoid the mosh pit altogether.
• Wear sneakers or rubber-soled shoes. Slipping and falling in a crazed crowd is a recipe for disaster because you might not be able to get back up. Shoes with good traction can help you avoid losing your balance.
• Stay sober. Drugs and alcohol will impair your judgment and coordination, making it more difficult to stay safe in a crowded environment. If you drink, pace yourself and drink plenty of water between alcoholic beverages.
• Know your exit routes. In the event of an emergency, it’s important to know where the exits are located. Familiarize yourself with the layout of the venue before the concert starts.
• Pay attention to your surroundings. Be aware of what’s going on around you at all times. If you see someone acting aggressively or a crowd moving spontaneously, move away from them. Trust your instincts–if something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. If you feel unsafe, make your way toward the exits before the crowds start rushing them.

Sometimes, crowd injuries happen due to someone’s negligence–for example, the concert may have inadequate security, or the venue operators exceeded the maximum capacity for the space. If you are injured in a concert setting because basic safety protocols were ignored, you may be eligible for compensation. Call our law office today to discuss your case.