Royal Oak Music Theatre Owner Will Require Vaccines At Concerts

ROYAL OAK, MI —Concert promoter AEG Presents, which owns the Royal Oak Music Theatre and owns and operates other Michigan venues and festivals, announced Thursday that it will be requiring proof of a COVID-19 vaccination for entry into its clubs, theaters and festivals after Oct. 1.

AEG, the world's second-largest live music company behind Live Nation, said the decision was made after a dramatic surge in COVID-19 cases as the Delta variant spreads throughout the United States. Until the Oct. 1 deadline, concert and festival-goers also will be able to present proof of a negative COVID test taken within 72 hours of show date

"We have come to the conclusion that, as a market leader, it was up to us to take a real stand on vaccination status," Jay Marciano, COO of AEG and chairman and CEO of AEG Presents said in a statement. "Just a few weeks ago, we were optimistic about where our business, and country, were heading. The Delta variant, combined with vaccine hesitancy, is pushing us in the wrong direction again.

Marciano added: "We realize that some people might look at this as a dramatic step, but it's the right one. We also are aware that there might be some initial pushback, but I'm confident and hopeful that, at the end of the day, we will be on the right side of history and doing what's best for artists, fans, and live event workers."

The policy, the release noted, is limited only as required by law.

"Certain states' regulations may override our mandate, or a few artists may not want to immediately get on board with the plan, but we know that using our platform to take a strong position on vaccinations can make an impact," said Shawn Trell, COO and general counsel of AEG Presents.

In addition to the Royal Oak Music Theatre, located at 318 W 4th St., AEG also runs the Mo Pop Festival in Detroit and the Electronic Forest Festival near Muskegon, according to WXYZ. AEG also books shows for The Masonic Temple and Little Caesars Arena, both in Detroit, but doesn't own those buildings, according to The Detroit News.

The move comes a day after two musical acts - Maroon 5 and Dead & Company - due to play the DTE Energy Music Center in Clarkston in the coming weeks, announced they will be requiring fans to show proof of vaccination or a recent negative COVID test in order to attend their concerts.

Earlier this month, Live Nation, the world's largest live music company, issued a "best practices" document in which it gave artists for its events the option of requiring proof of vaccines and negative COVID tests among concertgoers, according to Variety. The company also said all of its employees in the U.S. must be vaccinated by Oct. 4.