After being barred from holding his big Utopia streaming event at Pyramids of Giza in Egypt (due to “complex production issues”), Travis Scott performed at another historic location on Monday (8/7), Rome’s Circus Maximus, where he brought out Kanye West for his first appearance since West made antisemitic remarks on social media. Now the New York Times and TMZ report that his performance caused some local residents to fear an earthquake was happening, with archaeologists also raising alarm about the possibility of damage to the ancient structure. Alfonsina Russo, who oversees the Archaeological Park of the Colosseum, told the AGI News Agency that “mega-concerts put it at risk.” (Rolling Stones, Lady Gaga, Bruce Springsteen, and Guns N’ Roses are among those who have also played the Circus Maximus).
Italian news media reported that 60 people were treated for eye and throat irritation after the show, the Times points out, because of the possible usage of pepper spray in the crowd.
Rome City Councilmember Alessandro Onorato defended the continual staging of concerts at Circus Maximus, citing tourism money and saying “There were zero incidents, zero people got hurt” in a live video on Facebook.
Scott is also teasing a North American tour that would be his first major outing since the deaths at Astroworld Festival. A Houston, TX grand jury ruled earlier this summer that he would not face criminal charges over Astroworld.
