Reps for Sphere in Las Vegas said Saturday that the ban on a man who posted a video of him proudly hitting a bong at a Phish show is no longer in effect and that the edict banning him from MSG Entertainment properties was an error because: He said that occurred. “Our process is broken.” At the same time, the venue reaffirmed that lighting such a large instrument within the venue violates both venue policy and local laws.
A statement from a Spear Entertainment spokesperson released Saturday afternoon reads: “The change in personnel caused a breakdown in the process and the letter was inadvertently sent out. “While this patron is not prohibited from entering our facility, it is still against our policy under local law to smoke, bring in glassware, or disrupt other fans’ enjoyment of the event.”
The name of the previously banned sponsor has not been publicly confirmed, but his social media posts under the name Acid Farts have attracted a lot of attention. First, when he posted a video claiming to be “the world's first ripped bong hit.” ” (and tagged places along the way) He then posted a letter that Sphere’s lawyer had sent him. The letter states that concertgoers will be banned “indefinitely” from all MSG facilities not only at the Sphere but also in other cities, including Madison Square Garden and the Beacon in New York.
MSG Entertainment is well known for using facial recognition to identify customers and even posts notices at the entrance to the Sphere.
The original viral video, filmed on the first night of Phish's sold-out weekend show last April, shows the user standing in the center aisle and slamming a giant bong, causing thick smoke to billow out. Several rows of patrons sat behind him… some of them laughing and clapping, but you can't tell from the video whether everyone in cloud range liked the gesture.
The reaction to the video was generally as follows: How did they smuggle such a large device through security? (He vowed not to give away his secrets about it.) And: How could anyone who attended a U2 show in the months before Phish be sure no one had hit a bong? (He gave no answer to this.)
In posting the letter they received from Sphere's attorneys, Acid Farts said they were proud to have received recognition from the venue's representative and described the legal notice as a “plaque” acknowledging their accomplishments.
Sphere representatives previously acknowledged the authenticity of a letter sent to users by MSG attorney Christopher Schimpf. “Sphere Entertainment Co. will not tolerate conduct that threatens the safety and security of our guests and employees,” it reads. “For your actions, you will be banned indefinitely from Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall, Beacon Theatre, Chicago Theatre, The Spear and other MSG venues… If you enter the venue or outside gathering area, the letter continues, “Law enforcement will be contacted to ensure your expulsion and you will be subject to punishment.”
The unrepentant Acid Farts contacted Rolling Stone and told the publication he had “no regrets” about going public with his cannabis use. He said there were other places to see Phish. He was joking, of course. “I will never see the Rockets at Radio City Music Hall.”
The two most recent groups on the Sphere have been Phish, known for attracting at least some of the fans who enjoy an enhanced concert experience, and a group now called Dead & Company. A short-lived ban on Acid Farts therefore risks alienating some segments of the fan community who are wary that any crackdown goes against the spirit of these shows. Still, many fans on the message boards, where there's discussion about what's allowed and what's not, agreed that blatantly lighting up the inside of the new $2 billion dome isn't the smartest policy and that the group's concerts are largely smoke-free experiences. Until now, Sphere Security's policy in dealing with public smokers has mostly been to approach them politely, asking them to extinguish anything burning and reminding offenders that laws legalizing marijuana in Nevada do not extend to indoor concert venues.