Nearly two weeks after a windstorm that swept through the Ottawa Bluesfest caused a stage collapse, management for classic rock outfit Cheap Trick is still trying to figure out how the catastrophe occurred.
"We simply want to know: what are the companies and organizers doing to protect the next act and the next audience?" manager Dave Frey said in a statement. "Every act and every fan ought to be asking the same question when attending an outside musical event."
Cheap Trick were in the middle of their set when winds reported to be around 90 kilometres per hour (with gusts hitting as high as 140 kilometres per hour) hit the grounds. After the band cut their set short, the weather tore tarps off the structure before the whole stage collapsed unto itself.
At least five people were reported injured, with one concertgoer suffering life-threatening injuries. Miraculously, no one died. Despite that, Frey and the band are questioning whether blame can be put entirely on the act of nature, or poor craftsmanship and a lack of proper safety procedures.
"Was it a design flaw? Was it an implementation mistake?" Frey continued. "These are important questions that must be answered."
Cheap Trick are currently participating in investigations run by the government of Ontario and independent agencies and are suggesting anyone with any information or insight do the same.
"We simply want to know: what are the companies and organizers doing to protect the next act and the next audience?" manager Dave Frey said in a statement. "Every act and every fan ought to be asking the same question when attending an outside musical event."
Cheap Trick were in the middle of their set when winds reported to be around 90 kilometres per hour (with gusts hitting as high as 140 kilometres per hour) hit the grounds. After the band cut their set short, the weather tore tarps off the structure before the whole stage collapsed unto itself.
At least five people were reported injured, with one concertgoer suffering life-threatening injuries. Miraculously, no one died. Despite that, Frey and the band are questioning whether blame can be put entirely on the act of nature, or poor craftsmanship and a lack of proper safety procedures.
"Was it a design flaw? Was it an implementation mistake?" Frey continued. "These are important questions that must be answered."
Cheap Trick are currently participating in investigations run by the government of Ontario and independent agencies and are suggesting anyone with any information or insight do the same.
