Metal Fall from Stadium's Video Cube Injures Fans at Bruce Springsteen Concert
Debris of Metal Elements Displays at Bruce Springsteen's Performance
Gelsenkirchen, Germany - Three fans were lightly injured when a several-kilogram metal part fell from the ceiling during a Bruce Springsteen concert at the Veltins Arena. The injured fans, a 22-year-old woman from Koblenz, a 50-year-old woman from Erlangen, and a 48-year-old man from Warendorf, were taken to a hospital but were discharged later that night.
The incident occurred when an aluminum element from the cladding of the stadium's video cube, a structure weighing about 29 tons and measuring over 305 square meters, detached. The video cube, usually a key visual element suspended above the stage, was not in use during the concert.
Despite the incident, the concert continued, and the area under the cube was cordoned off. The living room-size video cube is typically used for display but was not active during the performance, suspended above the FOH technical area, where lighting and other controls were managed.
Police are investigating the cause of the accident and are checking if any other parts might be at risk of detaching. So far, they're treating it as an accident.
Salvation for the injureda crowd of several thousand fans attended the Bruce Springsteen concert on Friday evening, marking the third and final show in Germany as part of his European tour. The club and arena have emphasized safety as top priority and will take all necessary measures to ensure it in the future.
Such incidents, while rare, highlight the importance of rigorous safety checks for large stage installations to protect audiences during live events. The proprieters are expected to implement thorough inspections and maintenance of overhead structures, reinforcement of rigging and components of heavy suspended equipment, increased safety checks before events, and possibly reevaluate the placement or usage of overhead installations like the video cube during concerts where it is not actively used. Such steps will help prevent similar accidents by ensuring all parts are securely fastened and regularly maintained.
Let's hope for a speedy and full recovery for the injured fans and improved safety protocols across our concert venues. Now, pour yourself a glass of that bright pink stuff and let's rock on!
[1] Source: Insider Article on Venue Accident Investigation and Prevention Measures, June 28, 2025.
Football's European-leagues management might consider implementing advance safety measures for stadia, similar to what's been suggested after the incident at Veltins Arena. The prime example being the regular maintenance and rigorous inspections of overhead structures, such as video cubes, to prevent future accidents during live events.
Following the unfortunate incident involving the detached metal part at the Bruce Springsteen concert, there's a call for greater focus on safety protocols across concert venues, not just for football matches but all live events.
