Tragedy struck Mexico City’s AXE Ceremonia festival this weekend, turning what should’ve been a celebration of music and art into a somber reminder of life’s fragility. Two young photographers — their cameras still in hand, their passion for capturing musical moments still burning bright — lost their lives in a devastating crane accident that cast a dark shadow over the festival grounds.
The victims, Citlali Berenice Giles Rivera, 28, and Miguel Ángel Rojas, 26, were doing what they loved most: photographing for music publication Mr. Indie when the unthinkable happened. Around 5:30 p.m. Saturday, during Meme Del Real’s set, a decorative structure being transported by crane came crashing down. Their final assignment became their last.
“With deep sadness we say goodbye to our friends and colleagues,” wrote the heartbroken team at Mr. Indie. These weren’t just names on an assignment sheet — they were vital members of a tight-knit community, their passion helping shape the publication’s voice and vision.
What followed was a peculiar and somewhat unsettling decision that’s sparked heated debate across the music industry. Despite the tragedy, Saturday’s shows went on. Charli XCX took the stage. Natanael Cano performed his set. TXT delivered their K-pop spectacle. Business as usual — except it wasn’t, not really. Not with two empty spaces in the photo pit where Citlali and Miguel should’ve been.
By Sunday morning, reality had set in. Local authorities stepped in, and festival organizers announced the suspension of all remaining activities. Heavy-hitters like Tyler, the Creator and Massive Attack never got their chance to perform — but somehow, that detail feels almost irrelevant in the face of such loss.
The aftermath has revealed troubling questions about festival safety protocols. According to the Mexico City Attorney General’s Office, the crane installations hadn’t received proper safety inspections before the festival. The mayor’s office of Miguel Hidalgo pointed to unauthorized equipment — basic oversights that might have cost two young lives.
Charli XCX’s Instagram post captured the industry’s collective grief: “My heart is with the families and friends of Miguel and Berenice.” Simple words for an impossible situation.
Sure, ticket holders will get their automatic refunds through Ticketmaster. The festival organizers have promised to support the victims’ families. But no refund can replace what’s been lost, and no amount of support can fully heal these wounds.
As festival season 2025 approaches, this tragedy serves as a stark wake-up call. Perhaps it’s time for a serious industry-wide conversation about event safety protocols. Because while we all love the magic of live music, no photograph, no performance, no moment of artistic expression is worth a human life.
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