Concert & Festival Safety information and resources

We started Safeconcerts to discuss and assist with concert safety at gigs, events and festivals. Although we have evolved and are now a thriving music website with a focus on ticket fraud and stopping ticket touts from ripping you off we still keep these valuable resources for your information. This area is still open for contributions.

“Top Tips” for keeping safe

The reason that we like concerts is that they are a little bit dangerous, we don't want to make everywhere we go like Disneyland, so that requires a lot of personal responsibility, and that means you

Wayne Coyne from the Flaming Lips
Watch the video

Watch our other video Top Tips:

Reggie from the Black Kids

Billy Bragg

Mark from the Charlatans

Paul from the Zutons

Jack McManus

Jimmy Urine from MSI

Geoff Ellis from T in the Park

Bowling for Soup

Submit an Article

If you would like to submit an article about concert safety, or your professional organisation, please contact us

Professionals

Journal of Crowd Safety & Security Management
The on line journal that will keep you up to date with all the latest developments in Crowd Safety & Security Management

Fire Safety at Outdoor Events
In 2008 the attendance at festivals across the UK and the number of events in the open once again increased. But in 2008 festival organisers were faced with some of the biggest challenges involving fire for a number of years.

Samaritans Festival Branch
Festivals are about having a good time aren't they - So why Samaritans at a festival?

A.P Security - Safeconcerts' First Award Winners
A.P Security carried out their duties at Leeds festival with such a high level of expertise and ability that they stood out from the rest, not only are they worthy of recognition but we give them the first Safeconcerts' Award for excellence

John Probyn is made Chief Operating Officer for UK music
Probyn will now take responsibility for UK promotions, marketing, public relations, hospitality and productions as well as maintain his work with Download. O2 and Hard Rock Calling.

Showsec - Stewarding/Security Professionals
Mark Harding Managing Director talks to Safeconcerts

Risks Contained - Setting New Standards
Risks Contained - Steve Allen and Martin Farrow - Industry Leaders

The Little Blue Badge
A Perspective From A Security Insider

Contact Details for Security Professionals
Entries on this list does not indicate that Safeconcerts recommend the company concerned.

For all security needs Safeconcerts recommends
Industry professionals that we recommend

Resources

Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007
Some info about the new act due to come into effect in April 2008

The Event Safety Guide
The Purple Guide - this is the guide the professionals are using.

UK statistics on accidents and incidents
There have been a few - have a look at some that have happened in the UK over the years

Useful resources for Crowd Safety
This page is aimed at providing on line resources for students who need access to research papers, booklists and guidance to further their studies in crowd safety matters, including a report into Donnington 1988 and Roskilde in 2000

Ticket Safe

Ticketing issues are draining the music industry of fun and spontaneity
Fans deserve fairness, openess and transparency, but do they really want punitive measures when Safeconcerts already has the answer for them?

The Ticket Selling Paradox
As it gets more and more difficult to get hold of tickets at face value when they are released read why it is all of our actions that are perpetuating this situation, but it is also us who can stop it

Be 'Ticket Aware' - How to buy tickets safely
Buying tickets can be hazardous - fans are being caught out by numerous ticket scams, the authorities are currently doing little to protect victims but they are looking into it, so until things change we all need to be ticket aware.

What to do if you have been a victim of ticket tout fraud
Some basic advice on what to do if ticket fraud happens to you.

Primary and Secondary Ticketing
A bit about the difference between Primary and Secondary ticketing.

Ticket Touting Report
House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee Ticket touting - Second Report of Session 2007–08

Are the authorities doing anything about tickets?
It won't come as a great surprise to the majority of people to be reminded that many music fans are getting seriously ripped off in the ticket market.

Ticket Touts
Wherever possible we try and warn people where there is a serious danger that they may not get a decent service from a ticket agency or when an agency is advertising tickets that don't exist.

Buying Tickets Safely
Buying tickets has become a nightmare for many with the cconstant appearance of on line ticket scams and frauds. This article has been put together to help you avoid all those pitfalls out there.

Stage Barriers

Mojo Barriers
A History Of Stage Barriers

Mojo Barriers celebrates its 21st anniversary with Gatekeeper launch
Mojo barriers are the gold standard in crowd safety barriers, now Mojo have added a brand new product to their range which will significantly enhance crowd safety at major events.

Environmental Topics

Glastonbury and the environment
Glastonbury Festival 2008 - leading the way for environmental issues - will you leave no trace?

Glastonbury Festival 2007
Environmental action plan put in place by Glastonbury Festival Organisers – June 2007

Positive News ... Music Fans Actually Want Green Events!
Music industry campaign group Agreenerfestival.com has published the results of a survey conducted by Buckinghamshire New University which asked music fans what they thought about green issues at live music events.

A Greener Festival - Leave not a whisper - nor a trace - take away only beautiful memories
Having helped drive awareness of the environment in the live music sector, the Greener Festival team now hope to encourage and reward those Festivals that deliver more environmentally friendly music events.

Festivals And The Environment - How Are We Doing?
Can You Be Green And Be Clean?

Crowd Safety in the News

12/02/2013

Fisherman's Friends' Trevor Grills looses fight for life
Tragic G Live accident claims second life

10/02/2013

Fisherman's Friends manager killed and singer Trevor Grills seriously injured in accident at Guildford venue
Tragedy for popular Cornish Sea Shanty group

27/01/2013

Tragedy in Brazil as nightclub fire claims at least 231 lives
No official cause given but it is believed the band's pyrotechnics may have caused the fire

News from 2012

19/12/2012

Ian Watkins lead singer of Lostprophets remanded in custody
Charged with six Child Sexual offences

19/12/2012

Lost Prophets Ian Watkins charged with Child Sex Offences
Singer to appear before Cardiff magistrates on Wednesday

04/12/2012

Lamb of God frontman Randy Blythe charged over fan death
Manager says Randy Blythe will return to Prague to fight manslaughter charge

Festival Survival Guides

Read our comprehensive Festival Survival Guide and our Gigging Abroad Guide.

Festival Survival Guide | Gigging Abroad Guide

Crowd Safety Articles

Sexual assaults at Latitude and other top UK festivals - this needs to stop NOW
With the number of sexual assaults at this years festivals on the increase safety awareness must become a priority for festival goers and organisers alike

Dense Crowds - Keep Safe
Most of us go to events without thinking much about safety issues - expecting event organisers to take care of everything for us, however, we may also need to be a little more aware and take some responsibility for our own safety too.

Crowd Surfing and Moshing
For some people crowd surfing, stage diving and moshing are part of a cultural 'norm' , for others it's seen as totally anti social and spoils the event, what are the issues?

Crowd Safety
Do we have an individual responsibility? should there be any rules?

Any Event - Fire And Rescue Service - Some Advice
Any Event have put together some basic advice for event organisers and also for people who go to events and festivals

Drugs - are you taking too high a risk?
Talk to Frank - get informed - get the right facts - keep safe

When Safety Fails
It is unfortunate that there are rare incidents of accidents at music events. For research students here are some figures.

Feeling up against it?
Are you feeling stressed out or depressed, suicidal? If you feel it's all hopeless you really aren't alone, here are some resources that can help you.

Courses

Stage Barrier Signing Off Competency Certificate
The UK’s first ever Certificate in Stage Barrier Signing Off Competency of its kind has been launched at Buckinghamshire New University.

Door Supervisors

Door Supervisors or Thuggish Bouncers?
It's a real tough job out there for those who are trying to provide a good professional service for the night time leisure industry.So are professional Door Supervisors finally replacing thuggish Bouncers?

Nightclub owner is liable for bouncer's attack on fire fighter
Landmark court ruling is a decision that will undoubtedly have serious implications for the UK's leisure, security and insurance industries