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A rise in disaster? -

While catastrophe has been at the heart of many festivals for decades, it appears that recent years have seen an uptick in the number of them. Perhaps the rise of social media is to blame for their prevalence, or perhaps it can be attributed to some other reason.

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Kumbh Mela -

The Maha Kumbh Mela in Uttar Pradesh, India, turned tragic on January 29 when a deadly crowd crush claimed multiple lives as tens of millions of devotees gathered for the sacred ritual of bathing. The incident took place on Mauni Amavasya, the most spiritually significant day of the festival when pilgrims immerse themselves in the holy confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and mythical Saraswati rivers, a practice believed to bring spiritual purification.

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Lost Lands -

Two men passed away while attending an electronic music festival known as Lost Lands in Ohio, in September 2024. While the cause has remained unknown, many are questioning how safe such events really are.

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Burning Man -

In September 2023, the Burning Man music festival was swamped with heavy rain that swept through the dry Nevada desert. More than 70,000 people were trapped in the muddy campgrounds and unable to leave until the weather dissipated.

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Electric Zoo -

Another example involves the Electric Zoo festival in 2023, which saw a class-action lawsuit filed against the organizers due to multiple last-minute cancellations. So why do festivals keep experiencing concern and catastrophe?

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Overcrowding -

Festivals often attract more people than the venue can safely accommodate, which leads to overcrowding. Not only does it run the risk of blocking emergency exits, but stampedes also become possible, especially if panic spreads through a densely packed crowd.

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Poor planning -

Many festivals are underplanned, with organizers failing to properly prepare for logistical challenges such as crowd control, security, and medical emergencies.

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Lack of safety regulations -

Festivals (especially smaller or independent ones) don’t always adhere to stringent safety regulations. Organizers might overlook hazards or structural safety, leaving attendees vulnerable to accidents.

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Scams -

Some festivals have even been built on lies and deceit. The infamous Fyre Festival, for example, was meant to be a luxurious event that took place on an island in the Bahamas in 2017, but ended up not taking place at all. People who attended were also left to sleep in disaster relief tents.

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Fraud -

Some festivals have been marred by fraud and theft. Organizers are sometimes known to steal money from festivals; in the case of the 50th anniversary of the Woodstock Festival, approximately US$17 million was stolen by investors.

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Overambitious production -

Many people have pointed to Fyre Festival’s disastrous opening run as a sign of overambition. Many such festivals have existed, wherein organizers aim for massive, high-tech productions without having the necessary expertise or resources.

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Weather -

Outdoor festivals are always at the mercy of unpredictable weather, which can turn a fun event into a disaster. Most music festivals are planned many months in advance, before weather forecast is available for the dates, and oftentimes the dates cannot be changed.

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Drug and alcohol abuse -

Substance abuse is a common issue at many festivals. Overuse of drugs and alcohol has been known to lead to medical emergencies and reckless behavior. There have been instances of people dying at festivals due to intoxication.

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Lack of medical resources -

Inadequate medical facilities and staff are a surprisingly common issue at festivals. In the case of a medical emergency (like a mass injury or overdose), the limited resources can lead to delays in treatment and consequently worsen outcomes.

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Poor infrastructure -

Many festivals are held in areas with limited infrastructure, making it difficult to handle large crowds. Whether it’s insufficient bathrooms, food, water, and shelter facilities, it can lead to health and safety hazards.

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Technical failures -

Many festivals have been plagued by technical failures that have caused them to grind to a halt. This includes stage collapses, the malfunction of sound equipment, or even power outages. An example is the Indiana State Fair of 2011, when a stage collapsed and killed seven people.

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Lack of exit routes -

In case of emergencies, festivalgoers often have limited or poorly marked exit routes. A lack of clear pathways to safety can cause stampedes or prevent people from evacuating effectively.

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Criminal activity -

The large, often chaotic environments of festivals can attract criminals. Not only do festivals see an uptick in pickpocketing and assaults, but some events have even encountered bigger malicious disasters, such as the Route 91 Harvest Festival in 2017, which saw the deadliest mass shooting in US history when 60 people were killed by a gunman.

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Unqualified personnel -

Often, festivals rely on volunteers or undertrained staff to manage critical tasks, and they are unable to handle crises effectively, which worsens the situation and puts lives at risk.

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Lack of accountability -

When festival organizers or staff are not held accountable for safety, cutting corners becomes more common. Without the pressure of strict legal consequences, they tend to neglect safety, leading to potential disasters.

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Environmental hazards -

Some festivals take place in areas prone to environmental hazards such as wildfires, flooding, or landslides. Organizers may underestimate these risks, leading to natural disasters affecting the festival and its attendees.

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Heat exhaustion - Summer festivals are especially prone to heat-related medical emergencies. Without adequate shade, water, and medical resources, attendees have been known to suffer from dehydration, heatstroke, or exhaustion, which can lead to fatalities.

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Unregulated merchandise -

Unregulated food or merchandise sold at festivals can lead to health problems, including food poisoning or exposure to harmful substances. Vendors may not always adhere to safety standards, putting festivalgoers at risk of illness or worse.

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Transportation chaos -

Many festivals are located in remote areas with limited access. Poor planning for transportation can lead to road congestion, stranded attendees, or accidents (especially when people try to leave the venue during an emergency).

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Upcoming -

Despite Fyre Festival’s horrendous reputation due to the disaster of its opening in 2017, organizer Billy McFarland is already been in talks to create a second event for 2025. Tickets have already been sold despite a lack of venue or performers.

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Research -

The best way for anyone to prepare for a music festival is to conduct extensive research. By knowing the venue’s layout (including emergency exits and medical stations), festivalgoers can avoid dangerous situations.

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Hydration -

Heat exhaustion and dehydration are common at outdoor festivals, so dressing appropriately and drinking water continuously are two of many actions that can have positive outcomes at such an event.

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First aid -

When attending a festival, bring a small first-aid kit with bandages, pain relievers, antiseptic wipes, and other basic supplies. Injuries can be prevalent at music festivals, and having these essentials on you can prevent small problems from becoming bigger issues.

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Avoid dense crowds -

Avoid positioning yourself in overcrowded or tightly packed areas, especially near the front of the stage. These spots can be dangerous during rushes or stampedes, and it’s harder to exit if something goes wrong.

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Limit alcohol and drug consumption -

Try to limit or avoid consuming excessive alcohol or drugs to keep your judgment clear and your reactions sharp. Impaired decision-making can make you more vulnerable to accidents, fights, or medical emergencies.

Sources: (The Hustle) (The Washington Post) (Boomplay Music) (Vox)

See also: Helpful tips to get you through a music festival

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