Tragedy at Era's Tour Brazil
By Yamilet Chabla Urgiles ('25)
Photo courtesy of Fox News
Leading up to it, Taylor Swift’s Era’s Tour in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil was full of excitement, so much so that a t-shirt welcoming her to the country was projected onto the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue. However, the show was scheduled to take place during an all-time heat record of 138 degrees Fahrenheit in Brazil, one of the highest temperatures ever recorded. It was the eighth heat wave of the year, and it was only spring.
Despite the heat, many fans decided they would persevere and went to the opening day show on November 17 to see their favorite artist. One of these fans included 23-year-old, Ana Clara Benavides Machado, who waited for more than eight hours in line to see Taylor Swift perform.
Floor seats for the show were general admission, and as such, fans lined up for hours in advance in hopes of getting the best view of Swift possible. During these long hours on line, more than 1,000 people fainted from the extreme heat exhaustion due to the weather in and outside the venue, while others even vomited. During the song “Cruel Summer,” Benavides fainted, and was later pronounced dead as a result of cardiac arrest.
Benevides before the show
Photo courtesy of NY Post
Swift's Statement
Photo courtesy of People
The weather had only increased the risks for heart failure and other related cardiovascular diseases for fans, especially in crowded areas like the pit. These risks were only heightened when the Brazil-based entertainment company running the event refused to let people bring water inside. As a result, Swift and her team had to hand out water bottles in the middle of different performances to fans, who had begun chanting “WATER! WATER!”
The stadium also blocked the air vents to keep anyone from outside the venue from hearing what was going on inside, even though it was stifling inside. After the news, Swift postponed her second show in Rio, posting to Instagram that she was “devastated” and “This was the last thing I would ever think would happen when we decided to bring the tour to Brazil.”
This tragedy demonstrates the mismanagement of the company, and how a lack of weather readiness can lead to extreme cases and even death. Most of these cases are preventable by the companies in charge. To avoid any further incidents, the organizers should take steps to plan for and consult with health advisors on safety precautions, as well as provide water, medical help, and ventilation to keep fans cool during these extreme weather conditions.
Many people go to concerts to have fun and see their favorite performers. No one expects it to end in tragedy. There could have been shades provided, or water given to people standing in line, but due to poor management, a life was lost. There could have been advanced reserved seats to avoid waiting in line, but the company, reportedly by concert attendees, made it hard to leave by having blocked exits.
Swift with Benevide's Family
Photo courtesy Estãdo
In discussion, this tragedy brings up a recurring question: Who's really at fault for this? Many incidents like this have happened at concerts lately, such as in the infamous Astroworld, where a fan's life was put on hold. Was it the mismanagement of entertainment companies that ended with a tragedy?
Cover photo courtesy of Insider
Banner photo courtesy of Fox 59