Las Vegas: The Industry Reacts

The music industry was quick to react to the shooting rampage last night at the end of the Route 91 Harvest festival.

– Route 91 Harvest

Route 91 Harvest is a Live Nation-organized country event, headed up by Brian O’Connell in Nashville. O’Connell is reported safe but has not yet responded to requests for comment.

Live Nation addressed the tragedy in an Oct. 2 statement: “We are heartbroken over the tragedy that took place at the Route 91 festival. To think that anyone would want to inflict harm on a gathering of music lovers is beyond our comprehension.

“And while we are stunned and grieving over this incomprehensible act of violence, we know that this is a moment when we must come together to prevent more tragedies like this from occurring.

“Live Nation will do everything in our power to support the victims and their families through the aftermath of this horrendous event and extends our deepest gratitude to the heroic first responders who helped save as many lives as possible. To our Live Nation on-site employees, we cannot thank you enough for your bravery and perseverance over the past 24 hours and will ensure you have the resources and support necessary to heal from this.”

CEO Michael Rapino was one of many industry figures to add their thoughts through social media.

<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet” data-lang=”en”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>Our hearts are with the victims in Las Vegas, their families and loved ones who are grieving this morning and to our <a href=”https://twitter.com/LiveNation?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@LiveNation</a> employees</p>— Michael Rapino (@rapino99) <a href=”https://twitter.com/rapino99/status/914850030275657728?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>October 2, 2017</a></blockquote>

He soon retweeted helpful information.

<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet” data-lang=”en”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>How to help and find loved ones. Please share <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/PrayforLasVegas?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#PrayforLasVegas</a> <a href=”https://t.co/v0xaV3SAIm”>pic.twitter.com/v0xaV3SAIm</a></p>— City of Las Vegas (@CityOfLasVegas) <a href=”https://twitter.com/CityOfLasVegas/status/914849200717758464?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>October 2, 2017</a></blockquote>

Jon Loba, EVP of headliner Jason Aldean’s label, BBR Music Group, also posted to Twitter:

<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet” data-lang=”en”><p lang=”und” dir=”ltr”><a href=”https://t.co/aB5g87r8mx”>pic.twitter.com/aB5g87r8mx</a></p>— BBR Music Group (@BBRMusicGroup) <a href=”https://twitter.com/BBRMusicGroup/status/914863409241427968?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>October 2, 2017</a></blockquote>

Big Machine Records CEO Scott Borchetta, whose company was represented at Route 91 by Brett Young, Drake White & The Big Fire, and Tucker Beathard, tweeted:

<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet” data-lang=”en”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>I cannot believe what I am waking up to this am. None of us are untouched by this hate. It must stop. My heart's shattered <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/PrayForLasVegas?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#PrayForLasVegas</a></p>— Scott Borchetta (@scottborchetta) <a href=”https://twitter.com/scottborchetta/status/914816439139356672?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>October 2, 2017</a></blockquote>

Universal Music Group Nashville had artists Eric Church and Brothers Osborne on the Route 91 Harvest lineup, and also issued a statement via Twitter.

<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet” data-lang=”en”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>Words cannot express our shock & horror at last night's tragedy in Las Vegas. Our deepest condolences to all affected. <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/PrayForLasVegas?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#PrayForLasVegas</a></p>— UMG Nashville (@UMGNashville) <a href=”https://twitter.com/UMGNashville/status/914915542263267328?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>October 2, 2017</a></blockquote>

Artist manager Scooter Braun also weighed in.

<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet” data-lang=”en”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>RIP FOR THOSE LOST <a href=”https://t.co/k7cesqF44n”>pic.twitter.com/k7cesqF44n</a></p>— Scooter Braun (@scooterbraun) <a href=”https://twitter.com/scooterbraun/status/914886691826974721?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>October 2, 2017</a></blockquote>

Several industry figures offered their thoughts via Facebook.

“My thoughts are with those people who were hit last night by the cowardly insane act of one sob with machine guns (why are people allowed to have these) and everyone else at the concert last night in Vegas having to go thru that trauma. So sad,” wrote concert promoter Danny Zelisko, owner of Danny Zelisko Presents and a frequent Las Vegas show promoter.

Paola Palazzo, Live Nation Canada’s VP of Talent, said, “My heart hurts for Las Vegas, for Puerto Rico, for Houston…for humanity. Be kind to one another, don’t judge another, have compassion for each other. Love each other. Watch and learn from children. They don’t know what racism is…they see another human. Embrace the innocence. Hate and love are the same emotion on opposite sides of the spectrum. Go towards love.”

She ended her post quoting Martin Luther King Jr.: “Hatred paralyzes life; love releases it. Hatred confuses life; love harmonizes it. Hatred darkens life; love illuminates it.”

“I have been on the phone and texting all night for dear friends who were at the concert in Las Vegas,” posted Maria Brunner of Insight Management in Scottsdale, Ariz. “… My heart goes out to our Live Nation and MGM friends. Whatever we can do to help we are here.”

Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in The Woodland, Texas, issued a statement on behalf of CEO and President Jerry MacDonald that said, “We are truly saddened by the tragedy that unfolded in Las Vegas last night; our thoughts are with the victims and families that have been affected by this devastating incident. The safety of our guests, staff and artists has been and will always be our top priority at The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion. We will continue to implement heightened security at all events.”