Wimmer producers Louder Than Life, Aftershock and others
Danny Wimmer Presents is the latest promoter requiring proof of COVID-19 or negative test to enter its festivals. The organization shared the news via social media this week.
“Your safety is our number one priority. To protect the health of our fans, artists, staff and crew, all attendees will be required to show proof of either a full COVID-19 vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test,” they write. “If you are unvaccinated, you must show proof of a negative COVID-19 test. The test must be taken within 72 hours of the first day you arrive to the festival.”
Physical and digital copies of both vaccination cards and negative tests will be accepted along with a photo ID.
Wimmer himself says he understands the policies may not be popular amongst festivalgoers, but he feels it’s required to ensure the future of each show.
“We are at an unprecedented crossroads with uncertainty about whether or not our festivals will happen this Fall. It is not my nature to idly sit back and let others decide our fate. Instead, I am going to do everything in my power to ensure that our festivals happen, even if that means enacting policies that some people may not agree with,” he shares on social media. “But before you react negatively to our policy, please consider this. What I see is that the fans feel the world needs music festivals now more than ever. We need to bring people back together to heal from the past 18 months. We need to get the people and artists whose livelihoods depend on live events back to work. I am confident that these requirements are what is needed to guarantee that we have fun and safe festivals this Fall.”
Danny Wimmer Presents produces a variety of festivals including Louder Than Life, Aftershock, Inkcarceration, Welcome to Rockville and others. Due to the pandemic, not all of Wimmers’ festivals are returning this year, including Bourbon & Beyond and the country-centric Hometown Rising.
“We regret to inform you that we will be taking 2021 off. With all the uncertainty in 2021, as a company we made the tough decision to focus on our long-tenured U.S. festivals, which includes Louder Than Life,” the company shares in a statement.
Wimmer, who is planning to host Welcome to Rockville in Florida in November, states his company is monitoring the situation in the state as cases continue to rise in the area. On Friday (Aug 13th), Florida broke its daily COVID-19 record of cases of nearly 25k, according to the state health department.
“We are monitoring the COVID-19 situation in Florida very closely and are working with local authorities on developing our COVID-19 Health & Safety plan. We will be announcing details soon, plenty of time before we are reunited in ROCK at Welcome To Rockville this November!” Wimmer writes on Facebook.
Live Nation and AEG Presents also sent out notices this week requiring proof of full vaccination or negative test to enter its facilities and festivals beginning in October. Both companies are also requiring its artists, crews and staff to also be vaccinated. It was not clear if Danny Wimmer Presents will require its artists, staff and crew to be vaccinated as well.
The Live Nation-produced Bonnaroo, which will be held next month in Manchester, TN, is also requiring proof of vaccination or negative COVID test for all patrons. The show sold out of four day tickets in less than a month of going on sale.