Requiring proof of vaccination at concerts is becoming the new normal as the touring industry returns amid another wave of the coronavirus pandemic, but in 20 states across the country there are bans on such mandates, complicating measures to safely keep live music going.

At risk of losing out on major tours in 2021 as a result, venues and promoters in Florida and Texas are now honing in on the wording of the two state’s executive orders, which ban vaccine mandates but don’t ban venues from requiring fans to show negative COVID-19 test results in order to gain entry to a concert. The loophole is that venue operators can accept proof of vaccination for entry in lieu of a negative COVID-19 test result. This, oddly enough, creates the same restrictions for fans in Texas and Florida that exist in nearly every other state, but gives the governors in both states the political cover they need to claim they aren’t backing down.

Tom DeGeorge, owner of Crowbar in Tampa, Florida, is one of the venue owners offering artists and promoters a choice on whether to require proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test for attendees. DeGeorge, who sought legal counsel alongside fellow National Independent Venue Association members to unpack the executive order, tells Billboard it was within their rights to ask for a negative test and that patrons could volunteer proof of vaccination instead. A representative from Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office has confirmed the loophole’s legality to Billboard.

The same loophole has been okayed in Texas, according to Texas promoter and owner of Resound Presents Graham Williams, who characterizes the loophole as “just backwards wording.” Indeed, major festivals like Live Nation’s Austin City Limits Music Festival, which is set for October, have already adopted the loophole language for their safety policies. 

“Lawyers and the Texas Music Office in the governor’s office and all these other people have talked it over, and as far as I know, there’s sort of a general agreement that it is doable as long as there is an option,” says Williams. “I felt like as long as you are offering the option, then you’re not requiring vaccinations only.” However, by placing that extra hurdle for unvaccinated attendees, promoters are providing “another positive reason to get the vaccine,” he adds.

Crowbar’s DeGeorge says Florida venues and promoters have warned the governor’s office about the ban, explaining that requiring proof of vaccination “is the direction the industry is going, and if we can’t do these things there is a good possibility we’ll lose many of our artists in the fall and winter.”

Those businesses are responding to policies being implemented by the artists themselves; in August, several touring musicians began publicly calling for vaccination requirements at their 2021 shows. Harry Styles announced his Love On Tour dates would require proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test when he returns to the stage in September. Dead & Company’s 2021 tour requires fans to provide the same information, and only fully vaccinated attendees will be allowed in their general admission pit sections. And in late August, indie rock band Spoon moved their September show in Des Moines, Iowa, across I-80 to Omaha, Nebraska, because Iowa bans businesses from requiring proof of vaccination.

Jason Isbell has also called for the same requirements and canceled three performances for not agreeing to the terms, including shows at Brandon Amphitheater in Mississippi, the Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion on the Tennessee-Virginia border and a show with Lucinda Williams at The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in Texas. 

“From everything that I’ve heard so far, all the response I’ve gotten from people in the business has been positive because they understand we could go back to not working at all,” Isbell told MSNBC on Aug. 9. “A lot of these smaller venues will not be able to reopen if they go through another round of shutdowns.” 

The two major concert promoters in the U.S., AEG and Live Nation, have also announced vaccine requirements and vaccine proof or proof of a negative COVID test, respectively, to attend concerts fully operated by the companies. Both companies have emphasized that their policies will be in place where permitted by law, but according to Ballotpedia, 20 states across the country have implemented some form of a ban on businesses requiring proof of vaccination (masks can be required by businesses in Florida and Texas). In March, more than 30 music venues in Austin came together to establish their own public health code-of-conduct and safety program following Gov. Greg Abbott’s decision to lift the mask mandate for all of Texas.  

Technology companies have made it easy for venues to discreetly check customers’ health information. Crowbar has implemented the use of touchless access apps including Clear, where the venue can set its parameters for entering a show (e.g. full vaccination or a recent negative test result) and, without divulging any medical information, the app can indicate whether or not the person meets the requirements to enter.  

“We were able to find ways to get around things to make sure we were in line with what a lot of other states could do,” says DeGeorge. “I want the option to be able to do everything within the law to make our clients and customers happy and keep them as safe as possible.” 

Britney Spears will not be charged with any crimes related to an incident that occurred at her residence involving her housekeeper, the Ventura County District Attorney announced Wednesday (Aug. 1).

The singer had been named a suspect in a battery investigation after allegedly striking a housekeeper during a dispute while in her home in Thousand Oaks on Aug. 16.

During the argument, Spears was alleged to have slapped a phone out of the housekeeper’s hand and the housekeeper indicated the screen protector to the phone was damaged. Spears’ housekeeper later reported to authorities that she had an argument with the singer regarding the veterinary care of Spears’ dog.

Misdemeanor Unit Supervisor Blake Heller reviewed the case submitted by the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, and declined to file charges due to insufficient evidence that a crime had occurred.

Spears’ lawyer Mathew Rosengart said in a statement provided to The Hollywood Reporter that “this was nothing more than sensationalized-tabloid fodder — an overblown ‘he said, she said’ regarding a cell phone.”

Rosengart noted that the Sheriff’s Department has acknowledged this was a “very minor” incident.

“If this involved Jane Doe rather than Britney Spears it would not have been pursued or covered at all. Anyone can make an accusation but this should never have made it this far and we are glad the DA’s Office has done the right thing. Sadly, it is apparent that some have learned nothing from the past, and we sincerely hope the media and others will be more respectful of Ms. Spears in the future,” Rosengart added.

This article originally appeared in THR.com.

On Wednesday (Sept. 1), four-time Grammy-winner H.E.R. — in partnership with Live Nation Urban — announced the star-studded roster of performers set to hit the stage at the highly anticipated Lights On Festival, which will occur in Concord, Calif. on Sept. 18 and 19.

H.E.R. will headline the two-day festival, while Erykah Badu, Bryson Tiller, Ari Lennox, Ty Dolla $ign, Keyshia Cole and many more stars will perform some of their fan-favorite hits. H.E.R.’s Lights On Festival, which first took place in 2019, marks the first female-owned and curated music festival in decades.

In addition to exciting performances, Lights On Festival is expected to deliver fun-filled attractions, including a film screening tent, live art installations, an arcade, R&B museum and guitar lounge.

H.E.R. is also celebrating the recent success of her debut studio album, Back of My Mind, which dropped in June and peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard 200. In an Instagram post, she announced the album is officially certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

“My RCA FAM!!!!!! ‘Best Part’ is 5x Platinum and ‘Come Through’ is going Gold! I’m so grateful,” wrote the singer-songwriter. “Thank you to all the people that helped create this album. Thank you to the lovers of music. She gang. All the fans. Love y’all. This means SO much to me and my journey. NOW LET’S GET ON THE ROAD!”

See the complete lineup of performers for 2021 Lights On Festival:

Saturday, Sept. 18

Erykah Badu

Ty Dolla $ign

Keyshia Cole

Masego

Fousheé

Blxst

Tiana Major9

Maeta

Samaria

Ajanne

Lorea

Brianna Castro

Sunday, Sept. 19

H.E.R. & Friends

Bryson Tiller

Ari Lennox

Lucky Daye

Kiana Ledé

Arin Ray

Tone Stith

VanJess

Joyce Wrice

Marzz

Muni Long

Maxx Moor