By Lexi Masarweh | Staff Writer
Mostly everyone has been waiting for concerts to occur again. They are now happening, but most shows and artists are requiring either masks, proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test.
This is becoming common practice among concert venues, with some artists even choosing to cancel tour plans and wait altogether.
To ensure safety, Harry Styles is requiring masks, vaccination cards or a negative COVID-19 test to attend his concert. As a popular tour, selling out in seconds, many people must decide to meet the criteria or not attend.
The Austin City Limits Music Festival, which is widely attended each year, is also following similar health protocols. The requirements are that a negative COVID-19 test result must be acquired within 72 hours of attending ACL, proof of vaccination and they must comply with the ACL fan health pledge.
Fort Worth senior Hannah Baker is attending ACL in October and said she’s excited to go with friends again. She has attended ACL every year except for last year due to the pandemic.
Baker said that some head liners are dropping out of ACL due to health concerns regarding COVID-19.
“I’m sad that Stevie Nicks dropped out. She was one of the head liners, [but] she’s older and so she’s more high risk,” Baker said. “I was excited to see her, but other people are joining; they just added Tyler the Creator.”
Stars & Stripes Music Fest, which is a new concert from the Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce, will be held at 6 p.m. Sept. 4 at McLane Stadium. Easton Corbin, Kylie Frey and Cory Morrow will be performing. They are also following the stadium’s rules and guidelines.
Students are happy to attend concerts again despite the COVID-19 health protocols put into place.
Miami junior Dante Estrada said he is happy everything is going back to normal, or as much as it can get following a pandemic.
“Prior to COVID, I didn’t realize how much I took going out for granted,” Estrada said. “Now I value the experience a whole lot more and I’m eager to see as many bands and live shows as possible given the uncertainty of potential shutdowns due to the delta variant.”
