Live Nation CEO Michael Rapino fights deposition over Astroworld festival tragedy

Live Nation's CEO, Michael Rapino, is in a legal battle to avoid being deposed in connection with the Astroworld Festival tragedy. The company has petitioned the Texas Supreme Court to block Rapino’s deposition, arguing that he had no direct involvement with the festival or its on-site operations. According to Live Nation’s appeal, Rapino neither attended the event nor visited the festival grounds, and his communications post-festival were limited to necessary executive duties.

However, the plaintiffs challenging Live Nation’s appeal counter that Rapino’s personal involvement is critical to understanding the festival’s planning and execution. They argue that Rapino was instrumental in booking Travis Scott for the festival and had prior knowledge of Scott’s controversial concert behavior.

The plaintiffs’ response highlights Rapino’s email exchanges and a private call between him and Scott after the festival. They point to an email in which Rapino discusses the decision to cancel the festival following reports of multiple deaths and cardiac arrests. This email, they argue, shows Rapino’s direct role in the decision-making process regarding the festival’s continuation.

Additionally, the plaintiffs reference a security worker’s ominous warning about the potential for fatalities, which underscores their belief that Rapino’s deposition is essential for uncovering the full scope of responsibility and decision-making leading up to and following the tragic event.

This legal maneuver underscores the ongoing scrutiny and complex litigation surrounding the Astroworld Festival tragedy, as all parties seek to understand the chain of decisions that led to the disaster.