NEWS
Nike has postponed the release of their Air Max 1 x Cactus Jack sneaker collaboration with Travis Scott. The news comes on the heels of the Astroworld tragedy claiming its 10th victim. Ezra Blount, a 9-year-old boy who was trampled at the concert, died from his injuries on Sunday. Hundreds of people were injured at the Houston fest on Nov. 5 following a massive crowd surge during Scott’s headlining set.
“Out of respect for everyone impacted by the tragic events at the Astroworld Festival, we are postponing the launch of the Air Max 1 x Cactus Jack,” the brand posted in an update on its SNKRS app on Monday. It’s unclear if and when the company might release it. The shoe was originally slated to arrive on Dec. 16.
Scott has become a multi-million dollar brand, with deals that span fashion to food — such as his upcoming spring/summer menswear collection partnership with design house Dior and a special meal offering at McDonald’s last year. There is also Scott’s collaboration with Fortnite, which pulled the “Out West” emote that featured a snippet of his song of the same name from the game’s item shop last week, as New York Post notes.
A little more than a week since the tragedy, multiple lawsuits have been filed against Scott and promoter Live Nation. Blount’s family is among those suing. Ex-employees from ScoreMore, a promoter of Astroworld alongside Live Nation, recently scrutinized the company for alleged disorganization, cost-cutting, and unprofessionalism.
Sharleen Spiteri joined BBC Radio 2’s The Sara Cox Breakfast Show ahead of Texas taking the stage to launch the main live music programme at Radio 2 in the Park in Stirling.
Checking in from rehearsals, the Texas frontwoman spoke about getting ready for the band’s opening performance at City Park. Radio 2’s annual flagship festival takes place there from 11 to 13 September 2026. "I’m match fit because I’ve had a couple of days’ rehearsals," Spiteri said. "We’re kicking the whole weekend off, which we’re very much looking forward to, so everybody’s got to get ready to party."
Before the live acts take over, Friday’s DJ Pre-Party gets the weekend started with Radio 2 favourites Sara Cox, DJ Spoony, Gary Davies, Michelle Visage, and Rylan behind the decks.
Jo Whiley helped set the mood with a special programme from Stirling’s Tolbooth venue. Working with BBC Introducing Scotland, the broadcast put the spotlight on Scotland’s emerging music scene through performances and conversations with Fright Years, Alice Faye, and James Emmanuel.
Fright Years, a four member band from Edinburgh, played "Never Been Wrong" and offered their take on Simple Minds’ "Waterfront." Glasgow singer and songwriter Alice Faye, the BBC Introducing in Scotland 2026 winner, paired "Some Brief Encounter" with a rendition of Lulu’s arrangement of "I Started a Joke." James Emmanuel, who was born in Nigeria and now lives in Edinburgh, sang "Brothers & Sisters" before taking on Chaka Khan’s "I’m Every Woman."
"We’re all about celebrating BBC Introducing and all the music that’s come out of Scotland," Whiley told listeners. "It's about celebrating the local music scene and the incredibly important work that BBC Introducing does to support independent, up-and-coming artists."
Joining the conversation were Stephanie Cheape, presenter of BBC Introducing in Scotland, Tara McLoughlin, venue manager for Stirling Council, and student radio presenters representing the University of Stirling’s Air3 Radio.
Listeners can catch the complete interviews and live performances from the weekend’s programmes on BBC Sounds.
