Governor Greg Abbott on Wednesday announced the formation of a concert safety task force after Friday’s Astroworld festival left eight people dead and hundreds injured.

The Texas Concert Safety Task Force will be chaired by Texas Music Office Director Brendon Anthony and will hold panel discussions aimed at enhancing safety at future concerts across the state, the governor said. . The task force will then produce a list of recommendations and strategies “to ensure that the tragedy at Astroworld never happens again,” according to Abbott.

“Live music is a source of joy, entertainment and community for so many Texans – and the last thing viewers should have to worry about is their safety,” Abbott said in a statement. “From crowd control strategies and security measures to handling controlled substances, this working group will develop meaningful solutions that will keep Texans safe while maximizing the joy of live music events. “

The task force will be comprised of representatives from the music industry, as well as members of the Texas Music Office, the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, and the Texas State Association of Fire Fighters, among others. state organizations.

The news comes after Travis Scott’s Astroworld concert on Friday. The crowd surged as the Houston rapper began his performance, leaving eight dead and more seriously injured, including Ezra Blount, 9, and Bharti Shahani, 22.

The Houston Police Department is conducting a criminal investigation, as county officials determine the way forward for “an independent and objective assessment” of the cause of the concert disaster, according to Harris County Judge Hidalgo.