A concert by American rapper Travis Scott at Rome’s ancient Circus Maximus has been surrounded by controversy and reports of chaos. However, a government official has downplayed these claims, stating that they have been exaggerated and distorted by the media. In reality, the concert proceeded without major incidents.
Travis Scott, a 32-year-old hip-hop star, began his Utopia tour at the iconic Circus Maximus, which was once the Roman Empire’s chariot racecourse. Approximately 60,000 enthusiastic fans gathered to witness the event.
According to some media reports, the concert took a turn for the worse when a group released pepper spray into the crowd. CNN and other outlets reported that around 60 people required medical attention as a result. However, Alessandro Onorato, an alderman for the Rome municipal government, provided a different perspective. He explained that the incident involved three individuals who attempted to rob the cashier at a nearby bar and used pepper spray as a weapon. Security intervened, preventing the theft, and the three culprits fled. The pepper spray caused minor eye and throat irritation among nearby spectators, but no severe injuries were reported. While the police opened an investigation into the attempted robbery, the concert itself remained unaffected.
Another claim that surfaced was the occurrence of an “earthquake” caused by thousands of fans jumping in unison when Travis Scott introduced surprise guest Kanye West. However, a simple check on the website of the Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology revealed that no earthquakes were recorded in Rome during the specified period.
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The director of the Colosseum, Alfonsina Russo, had previously expressed concerns about the vibrations created by exuberant concertgoers, fearing potential damage to the ancient site. Russo argued that the Circus Maximus should only be used for opera and ballet performances. However, Onorato dismissed such objections as “snobbish and crazy,” emphasizing the financial benefits that concerts bring to Rome’s historic sites. He suggested that objections to the concerts were more likely due to personal taste in music and the age of the audience rather than real safety concerns.
Onorato defended the inclusion of concerts at the Circus Maximus, highlighting a previous instance where Italian rock band Måneskin’s concert faced similar criticism. He acknowledged the importance of safety discussions but cautioned against discriminating against an entire generation based on music preferences. He stated, “Not even during fascism did we see that.” He argued that the decision of which music is good or bad should not be made by government officials.
It is worth mentioning that Travis Scott’s concerts have been previously marred by tragedy. In November 2021, a stampede during his Astroworld concert in Houston resulted in the deaths of 10 people and numerous injuries. However, a Texas grand jury declined to indict Travis Scott and five others over the concert deaths.
The Hollywood Reporter reached out to representatives for Travis Scott for comment on the Rome concert but did not receive an immediate response.
In conclusion, while media reports portrayed Travis Scott’s concert at Rome’s Circus Maximus as chaotic and disruptive, a government official has refuted these claims. The reported incidents, such as the release of pepper spray and an “earthquake,” were downplayed and explained as minor disturbances that did not significantly impact the event. The official defended the inclusion of concerts at historic sites and stressed the importance of not discriminating against music preferences. Overall, the concert proceeded relatively smoothly, despite initial reports suggesting otherwise.
