After Lizzo, Summerfest aims to change procedure

Summerfest's investigations are not complete in determining the events that led musical star Lizzo to say that a security guard employed by the festival committed a racist act toward two members of her team.

However, Summerfest President Don Smiley has already determined that the festival can implement a requirement of pre-performance meetings between artists, their teams, and Summerfest staff on site before a concert begins.

“Normally, in the course of routine, we have pre-performance meetings with the band, the tour manager, and our security and so forth. For whatever reason, that meeting did not take place before the Lizzo show,” Smiley told WTMJ's Gene Mueller as part of their WTMJ Conversations interview..

“So, you don’t really get a chance to find out who’s who, who’s credentialed, who’s not credentialed and so on and so forth. Had that meeting have taken place, some of what’s being talked about probably would have never occurred. So I think it’s really on us, and it’s not optional, it would be mandatory in every case to have that pre-performance meeting so that you know who’s backstage and who isn’t backstage.”

Lizzo stated on social media shortly after her Summerfest show that a staff member acted in a bigoted way towards her team.

Tonight was beautiful. You are beautiful. But the struggle ain’t over. Racism and bigotry don’t care if you’re a headliner. Thank you @summerfest. We will be filing a complaint against that bigoted “security” guard and I hope you’ll be cooperative in seeking justice. xoxo pic.twitter.com/bt3J5Cy1AS

— |L I Z Z O| (@lizzo) June 28, 2019

1/2 Lizzo gave an incredible performance which she now feels is tarnished by events which occurred during the performance. We do not tolerate racism in any form. We will conduct a thorough investigation.

— Summerfest (@Summerfest) June 28, 2019

2/2 We have an experienced crowd management staff who strive to protect performers & fans. While there may be challenges during a performance, we expect those challenges to be handled professionally & respectfully. If those standards were not met, we will take appropriate action.

— Summerfest (@Summerfest) June 28, 2019

Such a move may not be the final conclusion to Summerfest's actions in light of the Lizzo incident.

“We’re doing an investigation right now as to what really happened, and it’s a priority for us to get the facts,” Smiley added while sharing the idea that such a meeting has to happen before a concert starts.

“I believe that the microphones shouldn’t go on onstage until that meeting is had. And then soon as that meeting is had and everyone knows who’s who, then you can go forward.”

Listen to WTMJ Conversations at 11 a.m. Sunday by clicking here.