
UK Successfully Hosts First Large Scale Socially Distant Concert

The UK hosted its first large scale concert with social distancing at the forefront, bringing in 2,500 concert goers on 500 separate elevated platforms spaced six feet apart to see UK rocker Sam Fender perform onstage. The success of the concert offers a newfound glimpse into how live entertainment can take place amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The concert was hosted at the Virgin Money Unity Arena, a pop-up amphitheater, in Newcastle, England, by SSD Concerts, one of the UK’s largest independent live event promoters.
Prior to entering the venue, guests were given staggered entrance times as part of the venue’s socially distant queuing system. Additionally, to avoid overcrowding at concessions prior to the start of the concert, guests were able to reserve drinks online when they purchased their ticket.
In an official statement made on Facebook, SSD Concerts said, “The arena is designed to keep you safe, with organised parking and a socially distanced queuing system into the arena where you will be directed to your personal area.”
For those in attendance at the Sam Fender concert, masks were required and attendees were asked not to intermingle among the platforms. In terms of navigating the venue, one-way pathways were made to restrooms. Up to five guests were allowed to be grouped on a platform in advance.
The platforms themselves were angled to allow all concert-goers a prime view of the stage. Platforms in the front of the venue were laid flat on the ground, while those in the back were placed at an elevated angle to see the stage.
Speaking to the BBC on the significance of the socially distant gig, Sam Fender said, “I think it’s fantastic that our region [Newcastle] is going to lead the way on this, and we’ll be the trailblazers for something that will hopefully continue on through the rest of the pandemic.”
Meanwhile in the United States, strategies on hosting live concert events amid the pandemic have varied.
At the beginning of the summer, concert tour promoter Live Nation launched a drive-in concert series where concerts take place in the parking lot of Live Nation stadiums, with cars stationed two empty parking spaces apart for the events.
In recent weeks, however, while the drive-in concerts have been successful for some, others have not fared as well and instead have faced severe scrutiny and criticism. In a recent Chainsmokers concert, many criticized the artists and concert promoters for not enforcing CDC guidelines of social distancing and mask wearing after videos and pictures of the event surfaced online.
In The News
Health
Voting
Arts
WASHINGTON — A pair of Democratic congressmen are seeking to protect recording artists from the use of their lyrics as... Read More
WASHINGTON — A pair of Democratic congressmen are seeking to protect recording artists from the use of their lyrics as evidence against them in criminal and civil proceedings. On Wednesday, Reps. Hank Johnson, D-Ga., and Jamaal Bowman, D-N.Y., introduced the Restoring Artistic Protection Act, which would... Read More
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Supporters of a measure that would invest between $800 million and $1 billion to expand arts and... Read More
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Supporters of a measure that would invest between $800 million and $1 billion to expand arts and music education in California schools have submitted 1 million signatures to qualify the effort for the November ballot. The success of the ballot initiative was first... Read More
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court agreed Monday to review a case to determine whether artist Andy Warhol violated a... Read More
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court agreed Monday to review a case to determine whether artist Andy Warhol violated a photographer’s copyright by basing one of his artworks on a photograph of the musician Prince. Both Warhol and Prince are deceased but photographer Lynn Goldsmith says... Read More
Looking back now, it all seems so guardedly optimistic. With the coronavirus pandemic rapidly spreading across the United States during... Read More
Looking back now, it all seems so guardedly optimistic. With the coronavirus pandemic rapidly spreading across the United States during the winter of 2020, recording artists, concert venues, festival organizers and just about everybody else involved with the industry hoped the public health emergency would be... Read More
TYLER, Texas — Lawyers for Netflix asked a U.S. District Court for injunctive relief in a lawsuit brought by Tyler... Read More
TYLER, Texas — Lawyers for Netflix asked a U.S. District Court for injunctive relief in a lawsuit brought by Tyler County District Attorney Lucas Babin on Thursday. Netflix was indicted by Babin in September 2020 for promoting and streaming the controversial French-language film “Cuties” a coming-of-age... Read More
SAN ANTONIO — Complaints to Texas school districts regarding books that discuss topics of race and sexuality have emboldened Republican... Read More
SAN ANTONIO — Complaints to Texas school districts regarding books that discuss topics of race and sexuality have emboldened Republican state lawmakers' calls for reviews of the reading material. Book reviews are now the latest priority of conservative groups which have already stood firmly against the... Read More