Promoters AEG Presents will soon require concertgoers and event staff to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination to enter all of its owned and operated clubs, theaters and festivals in the wake of the surge in COVID-19 cases. The new policy, “limited only as required by law,” will go into effect “no later than October 1.”
AEG will require proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative test result taken within 72 hours of show date where permitted up until October 1. “The date was chosen specifically to allow time for any eligible unvaccinated ticketholders and staff to reach fully vaccinated status should they choose to do so,” explained AEG Presents in a press release announcing the decision.
“We have come to the conclusion that, as a market leader, it was up to us to take a real stand on vaccination status,” stated Jay Marciano, COO of AEG and Chairman and CEO, AEG Presents. “Just a few weeks ago, we were optimistic about where our business, and country, were heading. The Delta variant, combined with vaccine hesitancy, is pushing us in the wrong direction again. We realize that some people might look at this as a dramatic step, but it’s the right one. 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.”
“Certain states’ regulations may override our mandate, or a few artists may not want to immediately get on board with the plan, but we know that using our platform to take a strong position on vaccinations can make an impact,” noted Shawn Trell, COO and General Counsel for AEG Presents. “The message we want to send is simple and clear: the only way to be as safe as possible is to require everyone to be vaccinated. And we’re confident that others who haven’t been ready to make this full commitment yet will follow our lead.”
“Our hope is that our pro-active stance encourages people to do the right thing and get vaccinated,” added Marciano. “We’ve already had to deliver bad news about JazzFest this week; I think everyone can agree that we don’t want concerts to go away again, and this is the best way to keep that from happening.”
AEG-operated festivals include Coachella, Hangout, Electric Forest and Firefly. New York City’s Webster Hall and Brooklyn Steel, Los Angeles’ The Roxy and El Rey Theatre and Colorado’s Mission Ballroom, 1st Bank Center and Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre are among venues run by the company.
