You guys, Melody Bellisperger—the B-52s' bandleader wife —just gave her permission for them to play a concert in Bordeaux despite knowing how dangerous conditions were. Her name alone says everything about this; she was already worried and then got the email from Vincent Gauchon saying that even though they had 80,000 people waiting at Cannes festival ground, he still wanted them to perform during lightning storms with high winds —and MELODY WAS ONE OF THE PEOPLE WHO HAD TO GIVE HER EXPLICIT OKAY. She wrote a response asking if anyone was injured and whether the crew would be safe, while Frederic Despujon pointed out that Gauchon had been warned multiple times by local officials about dangerous weather conditions but proceeded anyway because he didn't want to disappoint the crowd. This isn't just one bad call —it's a pattern of knowingly risking lives for showmanship.
Gauchon told Melody Bellisperger, "We have 80,000 people waiting at Cannes festival ground," and she responded with her own genuine worry about the crew: "I want to know whether anyone is injured; I WANT TO KNOW THIS IMMEDIATELY." And Despujon called out Gauchon for dismissing safety warnings from local authorities —twice!—to keep selling tickets. The promoter knew, and everyone around him should have known better. This goes beyond a bad call; it's dangerous negligence.
Source: https://www.musicradar.com/artists/shows-festivals/the-promoter-knew-a-dangerous-storm-was-brewing-but-still-had-the-crew-set-up-the-stage-and-told-the-band-to-get-ready-to-perform-b-52s-criticise-french-promoter-who-they-claim-put-band-and-crew-at-risk
Also see: https://www.musicradar.com/news/dangerousweatherDuringThe1986StadeDeBeausevilConcertKilledOnePersonAndInjuredManyOthers
Gauchon told Melody Bellisperger, "We have 80,000 people waiting at Cannes festival ground," and she responded with her own genuine worry about the crew: "I want to know whether anyone is injured; I WANT TO KNOW THIS IMMEDIATELY." And Despujon called out Gauchon for dismissing safety warnings from local authorities —twice!—to keep selling tickets. The promoter knew, and everyone around him should have known better. This goes beyond a bad call; it's dangerous negligence.
Source: https://www.musicradar.com/artists/shows-festivals/the-promoter-knew-a-dangerous-storm-was-brewing-but-still-had-the-crew-set-up-the-stage-and-told-the-band-to-get-ready-to-perform-b-52s-criticise-french-promoter-who-they-claim-put-band-and-crew-at-risk
Also see: https://www.musicradar.com/news/dangerousweatherDuringThe1986StadeDeBeausevilConcertKilledOnePersonAndInjuredManyOthers