Tragedy Strikes Axe Ceremonia Festival: The Music Community Mourns
The Axe Ceremonia festival at Parque Bicentenario has been overshadowed by tragedy after the deaths of photographers Berenice Giles Rivera and Miguel Ángel Hernández. The two were working at the event when a decorative structure collapsed due to strong winds on April 5th, claiming their lives. The incident is currently under investigation, and the music community is reeling from the news, with many artists expressing their grief and condolences.
An Outpouring of Grief from Artists
News of the photographers’ deaths spread quickly, prompting numerous artists scheduled to perform at Axe Ceremonia, and others within the wider music scene, to share messages of sorrow and support. Charli XCX, who headlined the festival, posted an Instagram story expressing her heartbreak: «Mi corazón está con las familias y amigos de Miguel y Berenice.» («My heart is with the families and friends of Miguel and Berenice.»)
The Australian band Parcels also took to Instagram to convey their sadness, stating: «Estamos con el corazón roto al enterarnos de la tragedia de anoche en el Festival Ceremonia. Todo nuestro cariño y nuestro más sentido pésame a los afectados.» («We are heartbroken to hear about the tragedy last night at the Ceremonia Festival. All our love and deepest condolences to those affected.»)
Mexican singer-songwriter Ed Maverick expressed his grief and concern for the safety of festival attendees, remarking: «No puedo sacar de mi mente lo que deben estar sintiendo en este momento. Absolutamente nadie debería ir a un festival sin saber si volverá a su casa.» («I can't get out of my mind what they must be feeling right now. Absolutely no one should go to a festival without knowing if they will return home.»)
Artists Canceling Performances and Demanding Accountability
The band The Marías, led by singer María Zardoya, announced that they would be cancelling their scheduled performance at the festival as a result of the tragedy. In a statement released early Sunday morning, the band conveyed: «Sentimos un gran peso en nuestros corazones por la pérdida de los dos fotógrafos Berenice Giles y Miguel Hernández» («We feel a great weight in our hearts for the loss of the two photographers Berenice Giles and Miguel Hernández.»)
Rapper Simpson Ahuevo shared a message of «paz y bendiciones» («peace and blessings») to the families and friends of the victims. He added, «Mi pensamiento está con ellos así como el de toda la comunidad que trabajamos y amamos la música» («My thoughts are with them as well as with the entire community that works and loves music.»)
Juan Cirerol, Valgur, and British group Massive Attack were among the other artists on the Axe Ceremonia lineup who publicly acknowledged the tragic event and extended their sympathies.
Protests and Calls for Justice
Following the confirmation of Berenice and Miguel Ángel's deaths, a peaceful protest was organized outside Parque Bicentenario on April 6th. Luisa Almaguer, who had performed at the festival the previous day, attended the demonstration, adding her voice to the calls for justice and accountability.
Almaguer took to Instagram to share messages such as «El show no debe continuar» («The show must not go on») and denounce the deaths of the photographers as «resultado de fallas sistemáticas» («the result of systematic failures»).
A Wider Community Responds
The tragedy has resonated far beyond the Axe Ceremonia festival. The band Jumbo dedicated a song to the victims during their performance at the Tecate Pa'l Norte festival in Monterrey, Nuevo León. According to Baruc Mayen (Baruc Mayen, 2024) writing for Grupo Milenio (Grupo Milenio, 2024), the band requested that the stage lights be turned off and that the audience illuminate the venue with their phones before performing the song Fotografía, with the poignant line: «Mi vida entre fotografías, se guardan y se olvidan» («My life between photographs, they are saved and forgotten»).
Paty Cantú, Nsqk, Daniela Spalla, and Vanessa Zamora also expressed their sorrow and support for the families of the deceased, demonstrating the collective grief felt throughout the music and art communities.
The circumstances surrounding the collapse of the structure are under investigation, and many are questioning the safety protocols in place at the festival. The event raises serious concerns about the responsibility of event organizers to ensure the safety of all attendees, including photographers, journalists, and staff. It's a somber reminder of the potential risks involved in large-scale events and the importance of rigorous safety standards to prevent future tragedies. The incident is prompting a wider conversation within the music industry about safety and responsibility at large-scale events.