Radiohead, Stage Collapse: Postponed Shows Rescheduled, Scott Johnson's Death Addressed, Investigation Continues

After postponing seven dates due to the June 16 stage collapse in Toronto which killed drum tech Scott Johnson, Radiohead have confirmed new dates for those gigs.

According to a post on the band's official site yesterday, the dates begin with a Sept. 20 show in Canton De Vaud, Switzerland. The routing is different than the previously scheduled dates with Rome (Sept. 22), Florence (Sept. 23), Bologna (Sept. 25) and Codroipo (Sept. 26) confirmed. The two dates in Berlin originally slated for July 6-7 now take place on Sept. 29-30.

Drummer Phil Selway also posted a short note addressing Johnson's passing and the reaction from fans worldwide. "Thanks to all of you who have sent messages of support over these past couple of weeks," he wrote. "Scott has touched many people's lives and all your sentiments are testament to this. Our thoughts and love remain with Scott's family."

In related news, the investigation into the cause of the June 16 collapse at Toronto's Downsview Park continues. Professional Engineers Ontario have also offered to help investigators.

According to the Daily Commercial News and Construction Record, the organization "would be pleased to assist the ministry's investigation, if requested, to find out if engineering work was carried out by appropriately licensed people and companies, and establish if there were any issues related to the engineering performed." As of June 22, the offer has not been accepted by the Ministry of Labour.

PEO CEO Kim Allen says the incident shows new procedures regarding permits should be created. "The stage has evolved from a little platform with a couple people to the massive structures that they have today," Allen told the publication, adding that since large temporary tents "are required to have permits based on the size" perhaps a similar system is needed for staging.

"With the sound equipment and the light equipment and the video boards and all those types of things they have on stage now -- they're much more substantial structures than they were 15 years ago," Allen said.

Another aspect affecting the investigation according to OHS Canada, an Occupational Health and Safety magazine, is the exact status of the stage at the time it collapsed. A June 26 article says there are two different sets of regulations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act regarding the stage. When a stage is being built construction project regulations are in effect but when the stage has been fully constructed then industrial regulations take effect.

Meanwhile, the Radiohead tragedy caused Britain's Institution of Structural Engineers' Advisory Group on Temporary Structures to look at revising its 2007 guidelines on the use and design of temporary "demountable structures." The New Civil Engineer reports changes will be incorporated in order to "ensure more clarity in the guidance, and to make the diagrams simpler." Work on revising the guidelines will begin after the Summer Olympics in London with next April the target date for publication.

Recall the Indiana State Fair Stage Collapse