Stage Collapses Before Toronto Radiohead Concert

Tara Walton/Toronto Star, via Associated PressA collapsed stage at the site for a Radiohead concert in Toronto on Saturday.

A massive rooflike structure collapsed onto a temporary stage for a Radiohead concert in Toronto on Saturday afternoon, hours before the band was supposed to go on, killing a stagehand and injuring at least three other workers, CNN and the CBC reported.

Radiohead, a British alternative rock band, canceled the concert. No band members were on stage at the time of the collapse, but members of concert crew were working in the area. A 30-year-old stagehand was found dead at the scene, while a second worker, 45, suffered a head injury and was taken to Sunnybrook Hospital, said Ian McClelland, the deputy commander of Toronto Emergency Medical Services.

The park was not open, but a crowd of people was waiting outside for the show when the collapse occurred. The gates had been scheduled to open at 5 p.m.

The accident victims were not immediately identified. They were setting up for the concert when a “scaffolding-type structure” 40 to 60 feet above the main stage collapsed, according to Capt. Mike Strapko of the Toronto fire department. A video filmed from a helicopter showed that a metal frame that served as a roof, still covered with a blue tarp, had crumpled the space where musicians were to appear.

The weather was fair, with no significant winds, the authorities in Toronto said.

Last year, a spate of collapses at outdoor concerts led to calls for more regulation of temporary stages, roofs and lighting rigs. Most of the accidents involved high winds. The worst occurred on Aug. 13, when a gust of wind caused a roof over the main stage to collapse at the Indiana State Fair, killing seven people who were waiting for the country band Sugarland to perform.

On July 17, the roof of the main stage at the Ottawa Bluesfest came crashing down in a storm while Cheap Trick were performing. It was prevented from crushing the musicians and crew by a truck that bore the brunt of the collapse.  On Aug. 6, high winds toppled a lighting rig at an outdoor concert by the Flaming Lips in Tulsa, Okla.

Later that month, on Aug. 18, a fierce storm tore through the Pukkelpop music festival near Hasselt, Belgium, causing three tents above stages to collapse, and killing five people.

A statement on Radiohead’s Web site said that tickets to the sold-out event would be refunded.

This post has been revised to reflect the following correction:

Correction: June 16, 2012

An earlier version of this post misstated the hour at which the gates were scheduled to open for the Radiohead concert. It was 5 p.m., not 4 p.m.

Stage Collapses in Toronto Before Radiohead Concert

A massive rooflike structure collapsed onto a temporary stage for a Radiohead concert in Toronto on Saturday afternoon, hours before the band was supposed to go on, killing a stagehand and injuring at least three other workers, CNN and the CBC reported.

Radiohead, a British alternative rock band, canceled the concert. No band members were on stage at the time of the collapse, but members of concert crew were working in the area. A 30-year-old stagehand was found dead at the scene, while a second worker, 45, suffered a head injury and was taken to Sunnybrook Hospital, said Ian McClelland, the deputy commander of Toronto Emergency Medical Services.

The park was not open, but a crowd of people was waiting outside for the show when the collapse occurred. The gates had been scheduled to open at 5 p.m.

The accident victims were not immediately identified. They were setting up for the concert when a ''scaffolding-type structure'' 40 to 60 feet above the main stage collapsed, according to Capt. Mike Strapko of the Toronto fire department. A video filmed from a helicopter showed that a metal frame that served as a roof, still covered with a blue tarp, had crumpled the space where musicians were to appear.

The weather was fair, with no significant winds, the authorities in Toronto said.

Last year, a spate of collapses at outdoor concerts led to calls for more regulation of temporary stages, roofs and lighting rigs. Most of the accidents involved high winds. The worst occurred on Aug. 13, when a gust of wind caused a roof over the main stage to collapse at the Indiana State Fair, killing seven people who were waiting for the country band Sugarland to perform.

On July 17, the roof of the main stage at the Ottawa Bluesfest came crashing down in a storm while Cheap Trick were performing. It was prevented from crushing the musicians and crew by a truck that bore the brunt of the collapse. On Aug. 6, high winds toppled a lighting rig at an outdoor concert by the Flaming Lips in Tulsa, Okla.

Later that month, on Aug. 18, a fierce storm tore through the Pukkelpop music festival near Hasselt, Belgium, causing three tents above stages to collapse, and killing five people.

A statement on Radiohead's Web site said that tickets to the sold-out event would be refunded.

This is a more complete version of the story than the one that appeared in print.

PHOTO (PHOTOGRAPH BY TARA WALTON/THE TORONTO STAR, VIA ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Radiohead remember drum tech killed in Toronto stage collapse

The victim of the stage collapse at Downsview Park (one that eerily echoed similar events of last summer) in Toronto this past Saturday has been named as Radiohead drum technician Scott Johnson.

In a post simply titled “Scott,” the band mourned their colleague with the following note on their website:

“We have all been shattered by the loss of Scott Johnson, our friend and colleague. He was a lovely man, always positive, supportive and funny; a highly skilled and valued member of our great road crew. We will miss him very much. Our thoughts and love are with Scott’s family and all those close to him.”

Though it was rumoured the band might instead join the Flaming Lips for their free outdoor show downtown in Toronto on the same night, Toronto Police worked to squash the incorrect information on Twitter. Flaming Lips sent their sympathy to Radiohead and played a rendition of “Knives Out” in tribute.

The cause of the collapse is still being investigated.

Stage Collapses Before Toronto Radiohead Concert

Tara Walton/Toronto Star, via Associated PressA collapsed stage at the site for a Radiohead concert in Toronto on Saturday.

A massive rooflike structure collapsed onto a temporary stage for a Radiohead concert in Toronto on Saturday afternoon, hours before the band was supposed to go on, killing a stagehand and injuring at least three other workers, CNN and the CBC reported.

Radiohead, a British alternative rock band, canceled the concert. No band members were on stage at the time of the collapse, but members of concert crew were working in the area. A 30-year-old stagehand was found dead at the scene, while a second worker, 45, suffered a head injury and was taken to Sunnybrook Hospital, said Ian McClelland, the deputy commander of Toronto Emergency Medical Services.

The park was not open, but a crowd of people was waiting outside for the show when the collapse occurred. The gates had been scheduled to open at 5 p.m.

The accident victims were not immediately identified. They were setting up for the concert when a “scaffolding-type structure” 40 to 60 feet above the main stage collapsed, according to Capt. Mike Strapko of the Toronto fire department. A video filmed from a helicopter showed that a metal frame that served as a roof, still covered with a blue tarp, had crumpled the space where musicians were to appear.

The weather was fair, with no significant winds, the authorities in Toronto said.

Last year, a spate of collapses at outdoor concerts led to calls for more regulation of temporary stages, roofs and lighting rigs. Most of the accidents involved high winds. The worst occurred on Aug. 13, when a gust of wind caused a roof over the main stage to collapse at the Indiana State Fair, killing seven people who were waiting for the country band Sugarland to perform.

On July 17, the roof of the main stage at the Ottawa Bluesfest came crashing down in a storm while Cheap Trick were performing. It was prevented from crushing the musicians and crew by a truck that bore the brunt of the collapse.  On Aug. 6, high winds toppled a lighting rig at an outdoor concert by the Flaming Lips in Tulsa, Okla.

Later that month, on Aug. 18, a fierce storm tore through the Pukkelpop music festival near Hasselt, Belgium, causing three tents above stages to collapse, and killing five people.

A statement on Radiohead’s Web site said that tickets to the sold-out event would be refunded.

This post has been revised to reflect the following correction:

Correction: June 16, 2012

An earlier version of this post misstated the hour at which the gates were scheduled to open for the Radiohead concert. It was 5 p.m., not 4 p.m.

Radiohead drum tech Scott Johnson dies at Toronto Stage Collapse

Last night’s tragedy at Downsview Park in Toronto leaves everyone in shock, as crew member Scott Johnson did not survive the stage collapse.

Scott Johnson

Scott Johnson was Radiohead’s drum tech. The 33-year-old, from Doncaster in Yorkshire, died after the top portion of the stage fell in on him as he was setting up for the show. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, band and crew. 

Radiohead’s drummer Philip Selway comments on his death: “We have all been shattered by the loss of Scott Johnson, our friend and colleague. He was a lovely man, always positive, supportive and funny; a highly skilled and valued member of our great road crew. We will miss him very much. Our thoughts and love are with Scott’s family and all those close to him.”

Apart from Radiohead, Scott also worked for bands like Keane and White Lies. Ian West, Scott Johnson’s drum teacher in Doncaster, said his former pupil toured the world with famous bands, including Radiohead and Keane, he told The Telegraph: “It was a very, very big shock. He was a great student and a great drummer. He got a lucky break and made the most of it, he never looked back. He was a fantastic guy, never down, very enthusiastic. He was very thoughtful and would do anything for you, he was spot on.

Keane, who Scott worked for as well, posted a message on their website: “We lost our great friend Scott Johnson on Saturday. Scott has been part of our touring family since 2004, working as drum tech, stage manager, and studio tech, but he gave us so much more – he saw the good in everything. He was the cheerful, dependable guy you could always turn to, who lifted the spirits of everyone around him. We can’t believe he’s gone. Our thoughts are with his family and friends; Radiohead and their crew. We love you Scotty, we’ll miss you.”

Jack Brown of White Lies said on Twitter: “Devastated to learn that the man killed in the Radiohead stage collapse was drum tech Scott Johnson. Scott worked with White Lies on a show earlier in the year as my drum tech. A very talented man and a lovely guy all round. Glad to have known him. A big loss. RIP Scott.”

Geoff Barrow of Portishead and band mate of Clive Deamer, who drums with Radiohead on this tour tweeted: “Shocking to hear the passing of crew member Scott Johnson of the radiohead tour – my thoughts and condolences are with everyone involved.”

Tim Burgess of The Charlatans said: “Our thoughts are with the family of Scott Johnson – the drum tech for Radiohead who tragically died yesterday”

Watch an interview with Scott from 2009 at the V Festival below.

16 days ago by Adriaan Pels in Radiohead News | You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Radiohead Stage in Toronto Collapses – Show Cancelled

The stage at Downsview Park in Toronto, Canada has collapsed, where Radiohead were set to perform tonight.
The stage at Downsview Theatre has collapsed at around 4pm. As @Zakea Tweets: “Stage collapsed at #downsview for #Radiohead So scary. So many ambulances.” See @Zakea‘s picture above.

People were not on the site when the accident happened. Doors were going to open an hour later at 5pm for the sold out show. The show has been cancelled soon after. Early reports said three people were injured, one in critical condition. Shortly after one person was pronounced dead. Another was taken to Sunnybrook Hospital in serious condition and the two others were treated for minor injuries and are released. It’s uncertain how the tragedy took place. The police are investigating at the moment. Weather conditions were good. There was only a calm wind at the park at the time. Video of the damaged stage below.

A police statement issued on Twitter said one man in his 30s was pronounced dead at the scene and a 45-year-old man was taken to a local hospital with a non-life-threatening head injury. It said two other males were treated on the scene for less serious injuries. Burrows said investigators were still unsure what caused the mishap, which was under investigation by the Ontario Ministry of Labor and the Toronto police.

Scott Johnson

UPDATE: Reports on social media name Scott Johnson as the one who did not survive the stage collapse. Scott Johnson was Radiohead’s drum tech. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, band and crew.

More on Scott Johnson here, including an interview with Scott and people close to him respond to his death, including Phil Selway.

Toronto police spokesman Sergeant Tim Burrows told Reuters that about 20 people were in the direct vicinity of the stage, conducting rehearsals and sound checks, when it gave way.

“The roof part of the stage collapsed,” Toronto Fire Services spokesman Captain Mike Strapko told Reuters. “It’s like an arch made out of round piping similar to what they use for scaffolding,” he said, adding that the structure was rigged with lighting and other equipment. “So that’s what came down and did crush the one individual.”

Dan Snaith of Caribou, who were going to open for Radiohead, tweeted: “We are profoundly saddened by what happened today. All our sympathy is with the band and crew and the families of those affected.”

At this point, it’s not clear if the band are going to reschedule the show, which was only one of the two Canadian shows of their World Tour. The band played the other Canadian show in Montreal the night before.
For now the 40,000 people can get a refund at point of sale.

Radiohead have issued the following message: “Due to unforeseen circumstances the radiohead show at downsview park tonight has been cancelled.Fans are advised not to make their way to the venue. Refunds will be made at point of purchase. Further information is to follow.”

This is the second time Radiohead have to cancel a show in Toronto. The last time was in 2003 due to a power outage when Radiohead were scheduled to play at Molson Amphitheater. At the rescheduled show at Toronto’s Skydome, which was also the last show of their North American tour, Thom Yorke stopped in the middle of Myxomatosis when a fan passed out. The band quickly resumed.

The 2003 show was rescheduled two months after. This time it might be harder. Radiohead are in the middle of their World Tour. The band move to Europe next, starting with a show in Rome on June 30th. At the moment, the band have no shows planned for August and September.

Purchasers of beer/drink tickets from the Radiohead concert can obtain refunds by bringing or mailing their beer/drink tickets to Downsview Park’s head office. More info here.

Radiohead announce Toronto and Montreal shows

Radiohead have announced a few other North American dates to go with their in-progress tour, and the added dates include stops in Toronto and Montreal.

On Friday, June 15, they’ll play the Bell Centre in Montreal, and on Saturday, June 16, they’ll be at Downsview park in Toronto (which is the same weekend the annual NXNE festival is in town). Caribou will be opening the Toronto show.

Tickets go on sale this Friday, March 9 at Live Nation.

Radiohead remember drum tech killed in Toronto stage collapse

The victim of the stage collapse at Downsview Park (one that eerily echoed similar events of last summer) in Toronto this past Saturday has been named as Radiohead drum technician Scott Johnson.

In a post simply titled “Scott,” the band mourned their colleague with the following note on their website:

“We have all been shattered by the loss of Scott Johnson, our friend and colleague. He was a lovely man, always positive, supportive and funny; a highly skilled and valued member of our great road crew. We will miss him very much. Our thoughts and love are with Scott’s family and all those close to him.”

Though it was rumoured the band might instead join the Flaming Lips for their free outdoor show downtown in Toronto on the same night, Toronto Police worked to squash the incorrect information on Twitter. Flaming Lips sent their sympathy to Radiohead and played a rendition of “Knives Out” in tribute.

The cause of the collapse is still being investigated.

Flaming Lips play Knives Out in Toronto, dedicated to the Radiohead family

The Flaming Lips were scheduled to play in Toronto on the same day as Radiohead in Toronto. The band covered Knives Out in their honour.

Frontman Wayne Coyne send out a lot of tweets before the tragedy at Downsview Park in Toronto, where Radiohead drum technician Scott Johnson lost his life. After the incident Wayne Coyne paid respect to Radiohead and those who got hurt. As you know, the Radiohead show was cancelled, the Flaming Lips show still happened at Dundas Square.

The band played their cover of Knives Out for the Radiohead family. “This unthinkable thing that happened today, we can’t all help but be affected by it. Peace be with their hearts tonight. This has been a pretty powerful day. This goes out to the Radiohead family.”

16 days ago by Adriaan Pels in Radiohead News | You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Radiohead live in Toronto – Live Report

Tonight at Downsview Park in Toronto, Radiohead wrap up the third leg of their 2012 tour. This also marks the end of Radiohead’s North American tour after the band has spent most of the spring selling out arenas and headlining festivals around the continent. Radiohead should be on stage around 8:45pm, shortly after Caribou’s support slot.

We’ll be live updating this post as the setlist comes in as well as posting the set on Twitter. If we get any news on the soundcheck or any links to live streams we’ll be sure to pass those along too.

Later all.

UPDATE: The stage at Downsview Theatre has just collapsed. This doesn’t look good for tonight’s show. More when we have it. As @Zakea Tweets: “Stage collapsed at #downsview for #Radiohead So scary. So many ambulances.”

Read More here.

Stage Collapses in Toronto Before Radiohead Concert

A massive rooflike structure collapsed onto a temporary stage for a Radiohead concert in Toronto on Saturday afternoon, hours before the band was supposed to go on, killing a stagehand and injuring at least three other workers, CNN and the CBC reported.

Radiohead, a British alternative rock band, canceled the concert. No band members were on stage at the time of the collapse, but members of concert crew were working in the area. A 30-year-old stagehand was found dead at the scene, while a second worker, 45, suffered a head injury and was taken to Sunnybrook Hospital, said Ian McClelland, the deputy commander of Toronto Emergency Medical Services.

The park was not open, but a crowd of people was waiting outside for the show when the collapse occurred. The gates had been scheduled to open at 5 p.m.

The accident victims were not immediately identified. They were setting up for the concert when a ''scaffolding-type structure'' 40 to 60 feet above the main stage collapsed, according to Capt. Mike Strapko of the Toronto fire department. A video filmed from a helicopter showed that a metal frame that served as a roof, still covered with a blue tarp, had crumpled the space where musicians were to appear.

The weather was fair, with no significant winds, the authorities in Toronto said.

Last year, a spate of collapses at outdoor concerts led to calls for more regulation of temporary stages, roofs and lighting rigs. Most of the accidents involved high winds. The worst occurred on Aug. 13, when a gust of wind caused a roof over the main stage to collapse at the Indiana State Fair, killing seven people who were waiting for the country band Sugarland to perform.

On July 17, the roof of the main stage at the Ottawa Bluesfest came crashing down in a storm while Cheap Trick were performing. It was prevented from crushing the musicians and crew by a truck that bore the brunt of the collapse. On Aug. 6, high winds toppled a lighting rig at an outdoor concert by the Flaming Lips in Tulsa, Okla.

Later that month, on Aug. 18, a fierce storm tore through the Pukkelpop music festival near Hasselt, Belgium, causing three tents above stages to collapse, and killing five people.

A statement on Radiohead's Web site said that tickets to the sold-out event would be refunded.

This is a more complete version of the story than the one that appeared in print.

PHOTO (PHOTOGRAPH BY TARA WALTON/THE TORONTO STAR, VIA ASSOCIATED PRESS)