Audience members at Travis Scott’s Astroworld Festival in Houston, Texas have described experiencing a demonic energy during the concert. Various conspiracy theories have been circulating on social media platforms following the tragedy that claimed 10 lives and injured hundreds. 

   A number of attendees have shared on their TikTok and Twitter accounts explaining why they believe AstroFest had something to do with evil forces at play. Concert-goers described hypnotizing vibrations, spooky chanting and lyrics and demonic imagery present. Far-fetched videos and Tweets across platforms suggest demonic symbolism is to blame for the mass casualty crowd crush incident. Theories largely center around the idea that Scott was conducting a satanic ritual. “Proof” of a satanic ritual includes concert and promotional posters linked to the occult, biblical references and the stage, which was shaped like an inverted cross.

   A promotional poster illustrating Scott as a demonic looking creature features the words “THE TRUE DYSTOPIA IS HERE! When the end arrives it’s really the beginning.” The term dystopia can be defined as “an imagined state or society in which there is great suffering or injustice, typically one that is totalitarian or post-apocalyptic.” The words “post-apocalyptic” have been connected to the Bible referencing a world after the rapture.

In a second poster promoting the event, a series of eyes placed in an unusual shape have been compared to biblically accurate angels. The comparison is extremely similar and many posts have included side-by-side pictures of the two and a verse from 2 Corinthians 11:14, “even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.”

Similarities between Scott’s famous mouth opening and Hieronymus Bosch’s painting “Christ in Limbo” have been pointed out. The similarities between the two are uncanny, as the painting depicts the first circle of hell. 

   Many have pondered on the significance of the words “See Ya On The Other Side,” which flashed before Scott took the stage and performed. Following the phrase, eight lives were lost to the “other side” referencing the afterlife. Others speculate on Scott’s trance-like state where he continued to perform despite fans screaming for him to stop the show, fans lying unconscious or dead around him. The social media platform TikTok is where a majority of conspiracy theories are going viral. The app says it’s working on removing conspiracy videos regarding Astroworld and other satanic, panic-type content. 

 Are these theories unfounded? Popular rappers such as Lil Uzi Vert, Trippie Redd and Lil Nas X have referenced satanic images in their music and aesthetic but have never been under as much scrutiny as Scott. Why is it okay for other artists to associate with the demonic aesthetic but not Scott? Are these theories offensive to the people whose lives were lost? Was this show simply a case of satanic panic and bad security measures or was it really a satanic ritual?