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When Should an event organiser stop the Show? Understanding the Showstop Protocol

At the ESSMA Summit, Dr Steve Frosdick delivered one of the most powerful sessions of the event, reflecting on how stadiums should prepare for life-safety incidents during concerts and alternative events. Using lessons drawn from real tragedies, he highlighted why delayed decisions, unclear authority and inconsistent communication can turn a manageable incident into a catastrophic one.

When Should an event organiser stop the Show? Understanding the Showstop Protocol — banner

The Showstop Protocol offers a structured, psychologically informed method for safely halting a performance or event when necessary. By establishing clear roles, pre-agreed authority and coordinated communication between venue, promoter and artist, the protocol ensures that critical decisions are made quickly and confidently — and that the crowd receives instructions from the voice they trust most.

This short article provides only a high-level overview. ESSMA Members can access the full in-depth article and Dr Frosdick’s complete presentation on our Publications Page.