Houston mayor pro-tem on outdoor music event ordinance: 'This is the age of Instagram influencers'

The Houston City Council passed a measure on Wednesday that requires outdoor music events hosting 500 attendees or more to have permits, Houston-based media outlets reported. 

All but one councilmember voted in support of the ordinance, which was proposed in light of last year’s ill-fated Astroworld Festival that claimed the lives of 10 people, per Houston FOX affiliate KRIV.

KRIV reported that the ordinance seeks to improve safety regulations, as well as hold organizers accountable should an event descend into trouble. 

The Houston rule explains that hosts of large-scale live music events on private property are responsible for security, staffing and traffic plans, and emergency contact information, Houston Public Media (HPM) reported. 

The Harris County Commissioners Court unanimously approved a four-point plan late last month to prevent a repeat of the tragedy at local rapper Travis Scott’s signature live event from happening, Houston Daily reported.

Houston City Council took action on the ordinance after it was delayed at least a week per the request of City Councilman Mike Knox so he could get an explanation from the city’s legal department. 

According to HPM, Knox voted against the measure on grounds it singles out the music industry. 

"There's car shows on private property, parking lots and various places where there’s large numbers of people, well more than 500, who create the same kinds of security and clean up issues and these are apparently unaddressed in this particular ordinance," the councilmember, who used to work for the Houston Police Department, said, the National Public Radio (NPR) affiliate reported.

KRIV reported that Houston Mayor Pro-Tem Dave Martin cited the power of social media while explaining his support for the permit process. 

"This is the age of Instagram influencers,” Martin said, the station reported. “And they create events at the drop of a hat. So what we’re trying to do with this is to get in front of all these events and at least have the ability to look at it from a permitting standpoint." 

Event planners are required to apply for permits at least three months before and could be hit with a $2,000 fine for noncompliance.