The New York State Department of Health has opened an investigation into The Chainsmokers' drive-in fundraiser which took place in the Hamptons this past weekend, after videos surfaced from the event showing many attendees not social distancing or wearing masks. During a conference call with reporters on Tuesday, Governor Andrew Cuomo expressed outrage over the event.
"The concert in Southampton was just a gross violation of not only the public health rules, it was a gross violation of common sense," Cuomo said. "It was grossly disrespectful to fellow New Yorkers.” He added there could be civil fines and the potential for criminal liability on behalf of the organizers.
Late on Monday, Dr. Howard Zucker, the New York State health commissioner, sent a letter to Southampton’s Town Supervisor Jay Schneiderman (who also performed at the event), noting that currently "no non-essential gathering is permitted in excess of fifty individuals" and asking several questions about how the event came to be as part of the investigation.
"I am greatly disturbed by reports concerning the 'drive-in' concert held in your town this past weekend, which apparently involved thousands of people in close proximity, out of their vehicles, a VIP area where there was no pretense of a vehicle, and generally not adhering to social distancing guidance," Zucker wrote. "I am at a loss as to how the Town of Southampton could have issued a permit for such an event, how they believed it was legal and not an obvious public health threat."
Schneiderman told the NY Post that he would comply with the investigation, and that his office is also investigating, because the permits granted did not include a VIP area, but only parking spaces for cars and small areas for people around them. "I am as upset as anyone else," he said.
The “Safe & Sound” benefit, which included The Chainsmokers, Schneiderman, singer-songwriter Matt White and Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon (under his alias DJ D-Sol), took place on July 25th at Nova’s Ark Project, a 100-acre venue in Water Mill. The organizers, In The Know Experiences and Invisible Noise, promised there would be strict safety precautions: people would be mandated to stay in their "designated zones" for the show (except to use the restroom), there would be temperature checks, extra security, large spacing between zones (max 4-6 people per zone), and mandatory masks when using the restrooms.
Tickets started at $850, with VIP access going for as much as $25,000 (those tickets also included an air-conditioned RV and private bathroom). The event's website declared that all proceeds would go toward local and national charities, and over 2,000 people reportedly attended the event. Whatever was meant to happen, the social distancing appeared to collapse at some point in the night. (You can also see a photo here which shows a lot of people in the front by the stage.)
Some attendees who spoke to BuzzFeed said they "felt very safe" attending the concert, but health experts told them a mass congregation like this one is "really difficult to have in a safe manner."
A source who was at the event told the NY Post that “there was definitely a section of people in front of the cars that did not adhere to social distancing. But you could really be safe there if you were smart enough and mature enough to do it...I think the intentions were good, but there is no way you can control those kids who feel immortal.”
A spokesperson for In The Know Experience maintained that the event followed the guidelines set by the CDC and that they "made best efforts to ensure New York’s social distancing guidelines were properly maintained throughout the event." They have not commented directly about the videos which show people breaking the social distancing guidelines.
The NY Post added that there was "a wild after party" at a private house in Amagansett for around 200 after the concert. “The Chainsmokers were there and people were dying to get in. The line was crazy [with] hoards of people. The police apparently showed up three times," one witness told them.
