In 2012 before a Radiohead performance, the scaffolding above the band broke, crushing the band’s drum tech Scott Johnson. By September 2017 the case the opened against Live Nation, the staging company Optex Staging, as well as engineer Domenic Cugliari involving the drum tech’s death was halted. In a statement, Radiohead said they were “appalled” that the judge decided to stall the proceedings, saying “it is an insult to the memory of Scott Johnson, his parents, and our crew.” Brooklyn Vegan writes on the case, discussing a statement released through Radiohead’s elusive twitter and internet presence. On November 30th, Radiohead writes:
“Five years on from Downsview Park Stage Collapse, we have learned that an inquest into Scott Johnson’s death will be formally announced later today. While this is welcomed, it does not bring those responsible for Scott’s death to account, and it provides no justice for Scott and his family. We urge the Canadian authorities to look more closely into their treatment of the Downsview Stage Collapse and indeed all workplace deaths to ensure that accidents such as this can be prevented in the future.
CBC News, in a new article about the case, quotes Philip Selway. He says, “When the collapse happened, it happened at four in the afternoon. Our soundcheck was due to start at four and I actually should have been where Scott was. That is an incredible weight, and personally I can’t let this lie. I want to see a proper conclusion, something that is respectful to Scott.”
In lighter news, Radiohead has also announced tour dates in South America. The tour dates, though, coincide with the induction ceremony for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in which they have shared their lack of enthusiasm for.
Recently, Radiohead had the center stage in the limelight of Fox News as a correspondent calls their music “Elaborate moaning and whining for ring tone sounds.” Radiohead is also set to release a beautiful, booming song with music composer Hans ZImmer titled “Ocean Bloom”.
Check out their South American tour dates below:
Radiohead — 2018 South American Tour Dates
04/11 Santiago, Chile @ Estadio Nacional (Sue Festival)
04/14 Buenos Aires, Argentina @ Tecnopolis (Soundhearts Festival)
04/17 Lima, Peru @ Estadio Nacional (Soundhearts Festival)
04/20 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil @ Parque Olimpico (Soundhearts Festival)
04/22 Sao Paolo, Brazil @ Allianz Parque (Soundhearts Festival)
04/25 Bogota, Colombia @ Parque 222 (Soundhearts Festival)
Photo credit to Raymond Flotat