MIAMI, FL — Chaos and panic erupted at the Live Vibes Music Festival in Miami on Friday night when the main stage suddenly collapsed during Blake Shelton’s headlining performance, leaving multiple crew members and the country superstar himself injured. Shelton was rushed to Jackson Memorial Hospital with suspected broken ribs and other injuries, sending shockwaves through the crowd of nearly 20,000 fans and the music community at large.
The incident occurred just before 9:30 PM local time, midway through Shelton’s hit “God’s Country.” Without warning, a large portion of the stage rigging and lighting structure gave way, crashing down onto the performance area. Concertgoers captured terrifying videos on their phones—videos that quickly went viral—showing Shelton stumbling backward as debris fell around him before security and crew members rushed to his aid.
The sound of screaming replaced the music as emergency crews flooded the area. Shelton was seen clutching his side and clearly in pain as he was carefully moved onto a stretcher and transported to an ambulance. Festival organizers later confirmed that five crew members were also treated for minor injuries, though Shelton was the most seriously hurt.
A representative for Shelton released an official statement early Saturday morning:
“Blake Shelton sustained significant injuries during the onstage accident at tonight’s performance, including multiple broken ribs. He is currently under medical care at Jackson Memorial Hospital, where he is being monitored closely. He is conscious and in stable condition. We are thankful for the swift response of the emergency teams and ask for privacy as he focuses on recovery.”
The news has sparked an outpouring of support from fans and fellow artists across social media. Hashtags like #PrayForBlake and #StayStrongShelton are trending worldwide as supporters share messages of love and concern.
“We love you Blake!! Sending so much prayers your way,” tweeted fellow country star Luke Bryan.
“The entire music family is sending strength to Blake and everyone affected by tonight’s terrible accident,” wrote Kelly Clarkson, Shelton’s longtime friend and former The Voice co-star.
The cause of the collapse is under investigation. Early speculation points to possible structural failure due to high winds or technical missteps during stage setup. Live Nation, the festival’s promoter, has pledged full cooperation with authorities and announced that all remaining festival events have been canceled pending a full safety review.
Shelton’s wife, Gwen Stefani, who was not at the event, is reportedly en route to Miami to be by his side. The couple’s representatives have not yet commented on how long Shelton’s recovery may take or what this means for the remainder of his upcoming tour dates.
For now, the country music world holds its breath—hoping for a full and speedy recovery for one of its most beloved stars.