AEG Presents to require proof of vaccination at venues and festivals

Concert promoter AEG Presents has announced in a statement that it will require proof of full vaccination for entry into all of its clubs, theaters and festivals, which will go into effect no later than October 1. The rule will also apply to staff of AEG at those same venues and festivals. The October 1 date has been chosen “to allow time for any eligible unvaccinated ticketholders and staff to reach fully vaccinated status should they choose to do so.” 

“We have come to the conclusion that, as a market leader, it was up to us to take a real stand on vaccination status,” AEG Presents chairman and CEO Jay Marciano wrote in a press release. “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.”

Among the venues and festivals operated by AEG include The El Rey Theater and The Roxy in L.A., Brooklyn Steel and Webster Hall in New York City, Coachella, Firefly, and the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, the last of which announced it would be cancelling this year as a result of Covid.

Read the full statement here.