One of the country’s biggest concert promoters has announced it will require proof of vaccination from all concertgoers and staff members. The requirement will affect shows at dozens of venues and music festivals run by AEG Presents, the company reveals in a statement issued Thursday. Among AEG’s iconic properties are Webster Hall in New York, The Roxy and El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles, the Coachella Music and Arts Festival, and The Theatre at Resorts World in Las Vegas.
COO Jay Marciano, head of AEG Presents, says while he knows a lot of people aren’t happy about the new policy, he feels the company has been left with no choice. “We realize that some people might look at this as a dramatic step, but it’s the right one,” Marciano says. “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.”
The mandate – which will affect such events as the Coachella Music and Arts Festival and the Firefly Music Festival – will go into effect on October 1st.
“Just a few weeks ago, we were optimistic about where our business, and country, were heading,” says COO Jay Marciano. “The Delta variant, combined with vaccine hesitancy, is pushing us in the wrong direction again.”
Could anti-vaxxers argue that this is a form of discrimination?