Live Nation Will Increase Security at Venues Following Paris Terror Attacks
Just yesterday we were lamenting the fact that the events of the last few days are going to change the live concert experience for a very, very long time, not just in Paris but the world over.
And those changes are already starting to roll in: according to the New York Times, Live Nation, one of the biggest concert promoters in the world, will increase security at its venues. The company said in a statement:
The safety and security of our shows, fans and venues continues to be our highest priority. Due to the recent events in Paris and in an abundance of caution we have implemented heightened security procedures globally. However, because of the sensitive nature of these protocols, we cannot elaborate further on the specific details.
We’ve been through this before — after 9/11 on a global scale, and after the murder of Dimebag at concerts — and I’m sure we can expect increased police presence at shows, pat-downs upon entering venues and extra security cameras being installed, among other measures. At least until enough time passes without incident. It was several years after 9/11 before going to a sporting event in NYC didn’t mean being groped all over, even for the elderly and small children.
But here’s the thing: none of the above will likely stop an attack like the one in Paris on Friday. You know this, I know this, Live Nation knows it, everyone fucking knows it. What’s really being done is that measures are being taken to make people feel safer — security theater (no pun intended) — which on the surface seems like a gigantic waste of resources (and certainly is). Live Nation has to take some action here — any action — not just to convince people that their venues are safe, but to give the appearance that they’re doing something, anything, lest they be castigated for inaction.
But upon reflection this tactic might have some intrinsic value; if concertgoers can feel more at ease — even if that feeling is provided by a false sense of security — the faster we can all get back to the business of living our normal lives. Lives that sacrifice not being molested every time we go to a show in exchange for the ability to enjoy said show carefree. And there is certainly something to be said for that.
On the other hand it’s hard not to feel defeated, like the terrorists won. This is what they wanted: for us to completely reorganize our lives at their behest.
It’s the world we live in. Expect other concert promoters — and places of public gatherings of all kinds — to follow suit.
