The Roots’ SXSW concert cancelled due to ‘security concern’
The Roots cancelled their “Roots and Friends” show at the South by Southwest conference on Saturday night due to a “security concern” that multiple reports say was a bomb threat.
“Due to a security concern, we have made the difficult decision to cancel tonight’s Bud Light x The RootsSXSW Jam,” show sponsor Bud Light/Anheuser-Busch said in a statement. “After working proactively with SXSW, the Austin Police Department, and other authorities, Bud Light believes this is the best course of action to ensure the safety of our guests, staff, and artists, and appreciate your understanding. We are truly sorry to have to cancel the event, but we felt it was necessary to take all safety precautions.”
Rolling Stone reports that it has confirmed the security concern was a bomb threat; Austin Police Department said more information would be made available on Twitter.
Trevor Ingram, 26, was arrested Saturday in Austin, TX for calling a bomb threat into 'The Roots' concert at SXSW, causing the concert to be cancelled, per Austin police. Ingram has been arrested on charges of Terroristic Threat, 3rd Degree Felony.
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) March 18, 2018
In a series of Tweets that were deleted within 20 minutes, Roots drummer Questlove wrote that the cancellation was due to a “severe emergency.”
“Uh, welp can’t say much but for those in Austin waiting in line to see us tonight,” he wrote. “Tonight’s show has been cancelled. They’ll make official announcement but I’d rather save y’all the trouble of waiting in line.”
The Roots were scheduled to appear with Ludacris, Jessie Reyez, Rapsody, Dermot Kennedy and Tank and the Bangas.