On Nov. 5, 2021, rapper Travis Scott’s third Astroworld Festival — founded as a celebration of Houston’s vibrant hip-hop scene and heritage — descended into chaos. Eagerly awaiting Scott’s headline performance on the main stage, the thousands in the crowd, boxed in and pressing forward against the barricades, devolved into a deadly crush. Within the show’s first minute, an evening of joy turned into a night of terror that left 10 dead, 25 hospitalized, and more than 300 injured.

The documentary Trainwreck: The Astroworld Tragedy, directed by Yemi Bamiro (Fight the Power: How Hip-Hop Changed the World) and co-directed and produced by Hannah Poulter (Wanted: The Escape of Carlos Ghosn), explores the disastrous event. Told through footage shot by festivalgoers, harrowing 911 calls, and interviews with survivors and families of victims, the film provides an immersive look at the festival and raises questions about the accountability of artists in an era that compels them to continually amplify their shows to drive revenue. 

“Our desire to tell this story stemmed from a very simple question — how can 10 people die at a music festival and no one knows how or why such a catastrophic tragedy happened?” Bamiro tells Netflix. “The objective for our film from the very start was to challenge all the misinformation that had become synonymous with Astroworld 2021.”

What was the Astroworld Festival?

The Astroworld Festival, founded by rapper Travis Scott in 2018, was established as a major music event celebrating Houston's rich hip-hop culture and Scott’s love for his hometown. Named after the defunct Six Flags theme park in Houston, the festival was known for its high-energy performances, elaborate stage setups, and immersive fan experiences. Astroworld grew to attract tens of thousands of attendees annually. 

What happened at Astroworld 2021?

On Nov. 5, 2021, the third Astroworld Festival was held at NRG Park in Houston. As the evening progressed and Scott took the stage for his performance, the excitement in the crowd turned chaotic. Attendees pushed toward the stage, causing a deadly crowd surge. Hundreds were injured as emergency responders struggled to reach those in need.

Did anyone die at Astroworld 2021?

The 2021 Astroworld Festival resulted in the deaths of 10 people, ranging in age from 9 to 27, all of whom perished from compressive asphyxia. In addition to the fatalities, many more were injured, some critically, leading to widespread outcry and demands for accountability from festival organizers. 

What happened after the Astroworld tragedy? 

In the wake of the tragedy, significant attention was directed toward Travis Scott, Live Nation (the event co-organizer), and the crowd control issues at the festival. Numerous lawsuits were filed by victims and survivors’ families, alleging a lack of adequate safety protocols and emergency response, but by June 2024, all 10 wrongful death lawsuits had been settled out of court by Live Nation, Travis Scott, and other defendants for undisclosed amounts. A Houston grand jury also found that no single individual was criminally responsible for the deaths. 

Where can I watch the trailer for Trainwreck: The Astroworld Tragedy?

For a preview of the documentary's in-depth exploration of the Astroworld tragedy, you can watch the trailer at the top of the page.

Who is interviewed in Trainwreck: The Astroworld Tragedy?

Trainwreck: The Astroworld Tragedy features interviews with survivors of the crowd surge, families of the victims, and members of the Houston Police Department. The documentary also includes perspectives from Astroworld’s security personnel, EMT workers, and a crowd safety consultant, offering insight on critical failures in managing the audience. The film also examines the responsibility powerful live entertainment conglomerates like Live Nation, which organized the Astroworld Festival alongside Scott, share in large-scale events. It incorporates firsthand accounts and expert opinions to shed light on the tragedy and its aftermath.

“Out of the terrible sorrow and loss, there is an enduring story of the most incredible bravery, tenacity, and resilience of those who decided to step up and act, even when the authorities did not,” executive producer Kari Lia adds. “And as filmmakers, it was our considerable honor to have the chance to tell their stories.”  

Trainwreck: The Astroworld Tragedy kicks off this summer’s Trainwreck anthology — a series of eight documentaries examining some of the most disastrous events ever to blow up in mainstream media, rolling out every week starting June 10. The first installment, released in 2022, explored the infamous Woodstock ’99 festival. 

Trainwreck: The Astroworld Tragedy is now available to stream on Netflix.