Travis Scott, the popular American rapper and record producer, has been one of the biggest names in hip hop over the past decade. However, since the tragic events that occurred at his Astroworld Festival in November 2021 which resulted in 10 deaths and hundreds of injuries, Travis Scott has kept a relatively low profile and has not performed any major concerts or festivals.
The Astroworld Tragedy
On November 5, 2021, Travis Scott was headlining his sold-out Astroworld Festival in his hometown of Houston, Texas. During his nighttime set, the crowd surged towards the stage which resulted in 10 people dying from compression asphyxia and hundreds more being injured. This tragic incident is considered one of the worst disasters to ever take place at a music event.
Details are still emerging about exactly how this tragedy occurred. However, investigators found there were inadequate safety measures and crowd control procedures in place for an event of that size. Travis Scott continued performing for nearly 40 minutes after authorities had declared the event a “mass casualty incident,” drawing intense criticism.
Travis Scott’s Response
In the immediate aftermath, Travis Scott said he was devastated by what happened and offered to pay for the funeral expenses of the victims. He also offered refunds to all attendees. However, many felt his initial statements did not show enough remorse or responsibility.
Over the next few weeks, Travis Scott lay low and avoided making any public appearances or statements. As the severity of the situation set in, Travis Scott began expressing more regret. In December 2021 he did an interview where he claimed he did not know people had died until after his set was over. But many questioned the validity of this assertion.
Travis Scott also quietly paid settlements to multiple families of Astroworld victims to avoid lawsuits going to court. While the exact settlement amounts were not disclosed, they were likely in the millions. This strategy drew criticism from some as “hush money.”
Concert Cancellations
In the wake of Astroworld, Travis Scott postponed his scheduled appearance at the Day N Vegas Festival just weeks later. He also pulled out of a previously announced 2022 Coachella performance. These high-profile cancellations were the first indicators that Travis Scott’s concert plans were being put on hold.
Several other concert promoters and festivals also began distancing themselves from Travis Scott. He was removed from the lineup of the Hangout Music Festival in May 2022 just days after being announced. The reasons given were vague but likely related to the Astroworld backlash.
Where Travis Scott Stands Now
Since Astroworld, Travis Scott has not scheduled or performed any major concerts. He remains embroiled in multiple lawsuits related to the tragedy that are still ongoing.
However, Travis Scott did make a few surprise appearances in 2022. He performed at nightclubs in Miami and Las Vegas. He also did a short guest appearance at a basketball game in August 2022. But these were relatively low-key events rather than his typical headlining concerts.
Travis Scott planned to embark on an international tour in 2022 called “Road to Utopia” but this never materialized. His long-planned Utopia album also has yet to be released after being delayed.
The Future
Most experts believe Travis Scott is intentionally keeping a low profile in terms of concerts for the foreseeable future due to several factors:
- He likely wants to be respectful to the Astroworld victims and their families.
- His legal situation remains unsettled.
- Performing major concerts poses reputational and financial risks.
However, Travis Scott also relies heavily on touring and live performances for his income. He has a dedicated fanbase who want to see him back on stage. So he will likely resume touring gradually at some point when the timing feels more appropriate.
Smaller Performances?
Music industry insiders speculate that when Travis Scott does return to performing, he may focus more on small-scale and private events for the time being rather than huge festivals. This would enable him to gauge the public’s response in a more controlled setting.
Travis Scott could follow the blueprint of other artists who have been involved in tragedies and lay low for 1-2 years before attempting a comeback through intimate concerts and appearances. These types of smaller venues would also allow for tighter security and crowd control.
International Concerts
Another option would be for Travis Scott to organize concerts and festivals primarily outside of the United States to begin rebuilding his reputation abroad. He retains significant popularity throughout Europe, Latin America, and other overseas markets.
By performing internationally first, Travis Scott could avoid some of the ongoing backlash and legal scrutiny he faces in America following Astroworld. The public sentiment may be more welcoming in markets that did not witness the Houston tragedy firsthand.
Coachella Appearance?
One potential milestone concert on the horizon could be a return to Coachella in April 2023. Travis Scott was already booked for Coachella 2022 before dropping out. The festival may be open to re-booking him for 2023.
This would enable Travis Scott to make a splashy comeback at one of music’s most famous events. However, it also comes with reputation risks if the public believes it is too soon after Astroworld.
Las Vegas Residency
Las Vegas residencies have become increasingly popular for major artists in recent years. Travis Scott setting up a regular concert schedule as a Vegas resident could offer him guaranteed income while avoiding being under heavy public scrutiny.
The controlled environment of a Las Vegas venue would also ensure fan safety. Security and medical protocols could be robust for Travis Scott’s residency shows.
Stoking Fan Demand
As Travis Scott lays low, demand may build for his return to the stage. By staying relatively out of the spotlight, his fans could become increasingly eager for Travis Scott’s concerts compared to if he was touring regularly.
Travis Scott can strategically use social media to remind fans of how memorable his shows are and stoke their appetite for his live performance skills. This technique could maximize turnout and excitement when he does finally announce a new tour.
Gradual Comeback
Realistically, Travis Scott will need to take a gradual approach to performing again rather than immediately doing concerts and festivals at his regular volume.
Testing smaller events first and gauging fan demand enables Travis Scott to rebuild his confidence and rhythm as a live performer. It also allows concert organizers time to implement and evaluate new safety measures.
As long as there are no major missteps, Travis Scott could slowly scale up to larger venues and festivals over a period of 1-2 years before resuming a full touring schedule.
Potential Reputational Impact
Regardless of Travis Scott’s concert plans, the Astroworld tragedy will likely impact his reputation and fan perception long-term. He may no longer be seen as just a fun, “rage” hip hop artist after the catastrophic risks came to light.
Travis Scott’s concert promotions and branding will need to shift toward safety. He also faces the possibility of protests or boycotts from those who believe he has not shown accountability for Astroworld.
Winning back fan trust fully after such a devastating event is difficult. Travis Scott will need to demonstrate meaningful lessons learned through his concert security policies and engagement with victim advocacy groups.
Financial Considerations
Travis Scott has earned the bulk of his fortune from touring and merchandise sales tied to live performances. The financial incentives for him to return to major concerts and festivals are significant.
However, doing so also comes with financial risks. Any major incident even unrelated to crowd control could open Travis Scott up to lawsuits given the heightened scrutiny he is under.
Travis Scott also stands to lose money if venues are wary of booking him or if attendance underperforms. Insurance costs will likely also be much higher for any concerts.
Safety First
Above all else, safety has to be the top consideration as Travis Scott contemplates any return to live performances. To avoid further tragedy, crowd control barriers and emergency medical resources must be significantly expanded.
Venue selection is also key. Outdoor festivals come with inherent risks that would need to be addressed. More controlled arena settings may be better suited in the near term.
Travis Scott would be wise to contract seasoned security experts and emergency personnel to audit and guide any future concerts. Their expertise reducing risks should supersede any creative or financial aspects.
The Court of Public Opinion
Ultimately the court of public opinion will decide when and how Travis Scott can resume concerts. If fans do not turn out or if media coverage casts any events in a negative light, performing live simply becomes too damaging for his career.
It may take another year or more before the climate shifts in Travis Scott’s favor. He will need to rely on his team’s guidance regarding timing and avoid making any PR missteps that could prolong his concert hiatus.
Conclusion
While Travis Scott was one of the most electric live performers in hip hop and popular music before Astroworld, those days are likely behind him permanently. Any return to major concerts and festivals will need to be much more controlled and strike a tone of restraint and solemnity after the horrific events in Houston.
Smaller venues, intimate performances, and overseas tours appear the most plausible options in the short term. But Travis Scott resuming a normal busy concert schedule seems improbable anytime soon. His path back to the big stage will be a slow, strategic journey dictated by the court of public opinion.