The band is owned no apology. They are not relieved of their own obligations to use theatrical pyrotechnics in a safe manner.
No matter how culpable the club owners turn out to be, they are culpable as well. I tend to think they did NOT ask for permission, but even if they did, there is no excuse for them for not have proper overhead clearance for the pyro pots (which burn at 2000 degree farenheit, BTW), ready access to extinguishers or with assurance that any required permits had been aquired by the club.
Their use *was* reckless and they are going to be charged with negligent homicide.
Well said.
There are numerous other accounts of this band using pyrotechnics WITHOUT PERMISSION in other clubs. I think they are lying about having permission in this case.
And even if they did have persmission, they are still the party most directly responsible because they used pyrotechnics that specifically called for a 15 ft ceiling when they had less than 10 ft.
It was their responsibility to know what was a safe environment for the specific pyrotechnics they were using. Attempt to avoid responsibility by putting it on the owners is not going to work.