Leadership / 12.12.23

The Year in Weather Woes: How Climate Change Affected Live in 2023

Access Staff

Pollstar (12/11/23) King, Ariel

This past year provided further evidence that climate change and the severe weather that often results can no longer be ignored by live events organizers. More than 30 concerts were affected by severe weather in 2023. In June, for instance, shows throughout New York City were canceled as the city was covered with haze that came in from Canada's wildfires. Temperatures hit 117 degrees Fahrenheit in Arizona, forcing Disturbed to cancel a July 22 performance because their equipment could not turn on with those temperatures. Earlier in the year in Illinois, one man was killed and over three dozen were injured during a Morbid Angel concert when a tornado ripped open the Apollo Theater's roof. Of course, one of the most notable weather-related catastrophes occurred at this year's week-long Burning Man event, with heavy rains turning the clay grounds into cement-like mud and thousands of fans were ordered not to leave the grounds for days.

Read the full story from Pollstar.

Tags: Leadership , Climate Change