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As music festivals continue to return after a year off due to the pandemic, many are operating with growing cases of COVID-19 in mind. Other Chicago festivals such as Lollapalooza and Pitchfork Music Festival were able to minimize cases with masked employees and mandatory vaccinations (despite the size of this year’s Lolla crowd). Then there’s this weekend’s rock ‘n’ roll Riot Fest. This year’s program features artists such as Patti Smith, Run The Jewels, Nine Inch Nails, The Smashing Pumpkins, Slipknot, The Flaming Lips, and more. But what doesn’t seem so strong is the festival’s commitment to public safety.
Arriving at the entrance to Riot Fest, somewhere between a third and half of the staff working at the gates – checking bags, scanning ID cards and vaccine cards six inches away, barking instructions directly to those standing beside them – are unmasked or have them pulled down. None of the security guards lined up at the sides, keeping a watchful eye and occasionally getting involved, are also masked. It’s no rocket science: Pitchfork pulled this off just a week ago, and The AV Club the writers in attendance never saw a staff member with their mask as much as askew, unless they were alone and / or socially estranged. Emphasizing the basic parameters described on the website seems like a no-brainer; ask staff to lead by example, even more. Yet the nonchalant spirit seems not only noted and followed by festival-goers, but valued.
Again, where Pitchfork saw the majority of its participants masking each time they entered the crowded area of the fields in front of a stage (the sure and courteous gesture), here there are more people screaming. enthusiastic cries in a crush of people, spittle and germs flying everywhere, that there are masks in overcrowded situations. Maybe 1 in 40, 1 in 50 people wear masks, whether they eat and drink (the understandable exception) or not. Look, it’s outside, and the permanent threat level is significantly lower than an indoor location. But tell those infected during last year’s disguised super-spreader event like an outdoor Smash Mouth concert. We’re literally in the middle of the worst hospital numbers since the wave peaked last year, and Riot Fest treats it like an afterthought.
We have contacted Riot Fest and will update once we receive a response.
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