Top 5 Live Event Disasters
Nothing keeps event planners up at night like the stress of all the things that could go wrong on ‘show night.’ And it’s no wonder why. Today, cringeworthy moments in live events are not only remembered but they’re also captured forever via smartphones and internet memes. From broadcast interruptions to embarrassing onstage moments, we’ve all witnessed––and remember––live event disasters. But there are lessons to be learned from these notorious moments. Follow along for our recap of some of the most famous live event “fails” of the last 15 years––and find out what can be learned from them.
Today, cringeworthy moments in live events are not only remembered but they’re also captured forever via smartphones and internet memes.
1. Microphone Fails at the 2024 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
If there’s one event where audio is essential, it’s the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony. But at the 2024 event, audio issues sprang up, leaving much of the audience unable to hear what presenters were saying. Surprisingly, the problem wasn’t a case of the equipment failing. Instead, it was a case of poor planning, with the stage mics on the podiums placed too low. Eventually, frustrated audience members shouted out the problem, resulting in presenters awkwardly hunching over the podium so they could be heard.
Event Takeaway: Have a game plan to ensure that your onstage equipment can accommodate all your speakers. Consider the variety of presenters who will be speaking. Is your tech adapted to all different heights and body types? Additionally, consider whether a presenter might need extra accommodations like a wheelchair ramp or a stool. And while this particular circumstance was a mic placement issue, it’s good practice to have extra mics on hand just in case there is a technical failure.
2. Livestream Fails on Netflix and X (formerly Twitter)
Netflix’s Mike Tyson Fight Plagued with Technical Issues
One of the most hyped sporting events of 2024 was Netflix’s livestream of the Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul fight. However, viewer excitement quickly turned to frustration as the livestream was filled with technical difficulties, including multiple screen freezes, glitches, and endless buffering. These issues would be annoying watching any live event, but during a boxing match—where the action can turn on a dime—they were especially glaring. With over 88,000 reports of streaming problems and even a lawsuit, the aftermath found many people casting doubt on Netflix’s ability to handle such high-profile live events.
One of the most hyped sporting events of 2024 was Netflix’s livestream of the Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul fight. However, viewer excitement quickly turned to frustration as the livestream was filled with technical difficulties.
X/Twitter Crashes During Major Political Interviews
X (formerly Twitter) made headlines for the wrong reasons during a couple of much-touted, widely advertised political livestreams—one with Ron DeSantis and one with Donald Trump. In both cases, demand overwhelmed capacity and the interview starts were much delayed because the livestream crashed. Once they were able to begin, things didn’t get much better. There were glitches and more delays and, in the case of Trump, poor sound quality—leading some viewers to question whether he had suddenly developed a lisp.
Event Takeaway: Livestreaming your event is an excellent way to broaden your reach and allow people to attend, even if they can’t be there in-person. However, it’s critical to ensure that the venue’s Wi-Fi can support the additional strain. For that reason, it’s good practice to overestimate the number of people you think will be logging on. The last thing you want is for all the hard work you put into your event to go unseen because the venue’s internet couldn’t handle the demand.
3. Presenter Fails at The Oscars
Announcing the Wrong Movie for Best Picture
At the 2017 Academy Awards, presenters Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway mistakenly announced "La La Land" as the Best Picture winner instead of the actual winner, "Moonlight"—causing a major onstage mix-up and loads of awkwardness. The error happened because Warren Beatty was handed the wrong envelope before taking the stage, thus leading to the ordeal being referred to as "Envelopegate.”
John Travolta Mispronouncing ‘Let It Go’ Singer Idina Menzel’s Name
John Travolta really stepped in at the 2014 Oscars when he introduced Idina Menzel to perform her Oscar-nominated song from Frozen. He butchered the singer’s name, calling her “Adele Dazeem,” leaving most of the audience very confused. The two appeared onstage later in the event so he could offer her a formal apology.
Event Takeaway: Rehearse, rehearse, rehearse! There’s no excuse for a presenter flubbing someone’s name or for a speaker being given the wrong material (in this case an envelope) before taking the stage. These mistakes could have been avoided with just a bit more preparation—and they overshadowed the rest of the events. One way to set your presenters up for success is to set up a speaker-ready room where they can review their material and iron out any last-minute issues (like pronunciation)!
Rehearse, rehearse, rehearse! There’s no excuse for what happened at The Oscars when John Travolta butchered Idina Menzel's name.
4. Experience Fail at the Willy Wonka Experience
You didn’t need a golden ticket to attend the Willy-Wonka-themed event in Glasgow, Scotland, but if you had one, well… at least you would have had some chocolate. The same couldn’t be said for the families looking forward to an immersive event billed as “Willy’s Chocolate Experience.” They were met with an empty warehouse filled with lackluster decorations and few, if any, of the promised treats—hardly the “world of pure imagination” they signed up for. The event was ill-planned, under-executed, and went viral for the stark difference between the enticing, fanciful marketing material and the actual images of the sad, barely decorated space. Facing crowds of disappointed families, event organizers abruptly canceled the event early.
Event Takeaway: Experience is everything! Your conference-goers have taken time out of their lives to be there, and it’s your job to make sure the event delivers. Consider bringing in A-list talent for your keynote speakers or adding a musical act. And don’t forget about making time and space for the attendees to have fun with each other. A great way to do this is with an “experiential zone” where people are encouraged to socialize. Cornhole, mini golf, arcade games, VR stations, and branded photo booths are a few ideas to help ensure attendees have a good time.
Experience is everything! Your conference-goers have taken time out of their lives to be there, and it’s your job to make sure the event delivers.
5. Electricity Fail at the 2013 Super Bowl
On the night when football’s biggest stars are supposed to shine brightest, the lights went out on everyone. Super Bowl XLVII, held at the Superdome in New Orleans, became infamous for an unexpected power outage that plunged half the stadium into darkness for 34 minutes. The delay not only disrupted the momentum of the game but also created panic in the stands and throughout the stadium as officials tried to figure out what had happened. The outage was later attributed to a malfunctioning device, which, ironically, was meant to protect the stadium's electrical system. Unfortunately for the Baltimore Ravens and the San Francisco 49ers, this Super Bowl will always be remembered more for the blackout than the game itself.
Event Takeaway: Find out your venue’s plan for auxiliary power during an outage. A live event could max out its electrical systems, particularly if the venue is older, so make sure you build in redundancies. And, if something does go wrong, make sure to communicate clearly with attendees to avoid any potential panic. Additionally, consider creating an app specifically for the event. This allows producers to send out alerts and keep the attendees informed.
Avoid ‘Fails’ by Having the Right Partner on Your Team
The last thing you want is for your event to be remembered for the wrong reasons. Most of the snafus listed above could have been avoided with a bit more planning, rehearsal, or technical backups. An experienced event production partner can help you prepare for unforeseen problems. To learn more about avoiding event ‘fails,’ check out our recent blog on A/V mishaps and see how Stagedge helps in a moment of crisis, or contact us to learn more.
--
Stagedge: Creating Immersive Experiences for 50 years is proud to be one of Boston's premier full-service event production companies dedicated to conceiving, creating, and executing immersive brand experiences through live, virtual & hybrid events, domestically, and worldwide.