UPDATE: ‘Herd Immunity’ Rock Festival No Longer Going By That Name

Author Erica Banas // Rock Music Reporter

June 24th, 2020 9:57 AM

UPDATE 06/24/2020 1:30 PM ET: The “Herd Immunity Fest” is no longer going by that name.

The Q & Z Expo Center hosting the festival shared to their Facebook page, “For the record, the venue’s land can accommodate up to 10,000 occupancy. This is an OUTDOOR EVENT for 3 days. We are only selling 20% of that so anyone has the choice and ability to social distance. The festival is also not called “Herd Immunity” and the name no longer tied to any of our social media or promotion.”

Also, Nonpoint has dropped out of the festival per the band’s Twitter. Powerman 5000 frontman Spider One tweeted, “A bunch of bands that I consider peers and some friends are partaking in a show called ‘herd immunity fest,’ which by that title is basically saying to their fans, come see us and we hope you get sick. What the actual f*ck??” Nonpoint responded with, “Hey brother. Nonpoint is not playing because of the way the festival is named. We have dropped off.”

ORIGINAL STORY
Despite the coronavirus pandemic putting a temporary stop on music festivals, one (so far) is going to happen next month in Wisconsin.

The Q & Z Expo Center in Ringle, Wis. will be hosting the 3-day mini-festival that’s being dubbed the “Herd Immunity Fest” from July 16-18. Booked for the festival are Static-X, Nonpoint, Dope, Bobaflex, Blacktop Mojo, Royal Bliss and more.

In a statement on their Facebook page, The Q & Z Expo Center says, “When the lockdown first happened, my first thought was, ‘OK, we can all do 2 weeks,’ then it went on and on, things were getting canceled. I started to worry about people not only for this COVID but mental, physical, financial. As humans we NEED other human contact. MUSIC in itself is great, but the live streams, as I am sure you all know, is just not the same.”

The statement continued, “We need LIVE, feel it to the bones, run shivers up your spine MUSIC with people around us. Takes us all away on a trip that unless you have felt it you won’t understand. So it is OUR honor to bring you this mini-fest. Let’s make it a fun, safe weekend, and let’s be kind to each other. Spread the word by sharing the event and invite your friends.”

While the festival itself will be taking place outdoors, there is currently no other mention of any safety or social distancing measures that will be enforced by the festival’s organizers.

https://www.facebook.com/352699808201270/photos/a.355034921301092/1717373221733915/?type=3

No Moshing/Crowd Surfing and 7 Other Changes Likely to be Made at Concerts During COVID-19

• No Moshing/Crowd Surfing.

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  Per the Event Safty Alliance's (ESA) 'Reopening Guide for Event Professionals During the COVID-19 Pandemic,' "Patrons cannot all stand at the front of the stage like they are accustomed; moshing and crowd surfing are violations of social distancing per se and must be absolutely prohibited during this pandemic."

• No Merch Tables/Stands.

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  Instead of buying an artist's t-shirt at a merch stand/booth, it's recommended that "...items for sale can be posted on a web site or event app that allows for mobile ordering and on-site pickup." If there is a merch table/booth present, "Mark merchandise sales lines on floor, with barricade, or rope and stanchion, patrolled by guest services workers to provide information and enforce social distancing." It's also recommended there be no trying on of merch and to have contactless payment.

• Socially-Distanced Smoking Areas.

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  It's recommended that "... even hallways and smoking areas where patrons congregate will have to be monitored to enforce health policies."
• Restrooms will likely have strict person limits.

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  Per the ESA's guide, "Workers should limit occupancy of restrooms to ensure social distancing. Unless portable restroom facilities are added, this will likely result in patrons waiting outside the restroom doors. The area where they are waiting will require monitoring to preserve (a) appropriate space between patrons and (b) an easily discernible line to avoid conflict about where the line begins. 

• Any changes a venue makes needs to be very visible to the public.

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  If a venue makes any changes to policies related to how they handle health and safety issues, they are advised to make them as clear as possible and list them basically everywhere including on their website, social media channels, various ticket purchasing sites, emails/push notifications, their mobile app and signage in their venue. In other words: Get ready for A LOT of updates.

• If there’s an intermission, people won’t be dismissed all at once.

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  Per the ESA's guide, "Intermission presents the same social distancing challenges as ingress [entering a venue] and egress [exiting a venue], with the distinction that some patrons will remain seated. For everyone who chooses to get up, they will have to be led out from back to front, and patrons will not be allowed to congregate inside or outside restrooms or near lobby concession stands. Even with fewer people attending events during the early phase of reopening, intermission may have to be longer than before to allow time for socially distanced patron movement. Given these issues, including how to let some people out of a row while others remain seated, the path of least resistance may simply be shorter shows with no intermission."
• Getting a drink will be even more of a process.

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  In addition to there being a recommended worker for just ringing up drink orders, "At a self-service restaurant or concession stand, the number of counter staff should be limited consistent with social distancing. Workers should place food and beverages on the table, counter, or other surface rather than handing purchases directly to patrons...Bartenders should model safe behavior by wearing a face covering and gloves when they are behind the bar...Patrons should hold their own identification for bartender inspection. If a worker must handle a patron’s ID, the worker should then dispose of their gloves and wash their hands before resuming service."

• Musicians on stage may have to abide by social distancing rules.

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  Per the ESA's guide, "The authoritative guidance requiring not less than six feet (two meters) of social distance may have to be expanded for singers and musical instrument players. Musicians often breathe deeply and expel aerosols further than people engaged in non-physical activities. Their performance space, including on stage and in orchestra pits, should be arranged to maximize social distancing while allowing at least some of them to perform together."  

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Author Erica Banas // Rock Music Reporter

Category:

• Coronavirus
• WKML

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Coronavirus