New Socially Distanced Music Venue in UK Hosts First Concert

[JOJO SIWA DERANGEMENT SYNDROME]

New Socially Distanced Music Venue in UK Hosts First Concert
Featuring a performance by Sam Fender
BY NINA CORCORANON AUGUST 12, 2020, 11:21AM

The UK’s new “socially distanced” outdoor music venue, the Virgin Money Unity Arena, hosted its first official concert on Tuesday night. Sam Fender played to a sold-out crowd in Newcastle, all of whom appeared to abide by the rules and regulations of the space. Watch footage from the show below.

In total, there were 2,500 attendees present for Tuesday night’s gig, reports NME. Concertgoers watched the show from elevated platforms spaced two meters apart, safely pre-ordered food and drinks using the arena’s one-way system, and accessed toilet facilities via a similar one-way aisle.
Videos from the event reveal that it was safe and sensible, with the actual show itself going smoothly as planned. Fender played a 16-song setlist on the festival-sized stage, and it seems like it could be heard from the very last seats in the house.

“Big up Newcastle, big up Sam Fender!!!! We have just got home, I’ve drove over 8 hours today and it was all worth it!” tweeted attendee Jonathan Morgan. “I didn’t think I’d get to see the big man himself this year after my tickets for Birmingham were sold without me knowing and then Covid19. Today was just epic!!”

consequenceofsound.net/2020/08/uk-socially-distanced-venue-first-concert/

[ificanthaveyou]

I’m sorry but you can’t safely socially distance 2000+ people. They can pretend that it went smoothly but that many people in a venue is always going to be too close for comfort.

[Devil Marlena Nylund]

Should have been like this all the time tbh. All that space! No one in your way, no one shouting over the music, this is the kind of concert I want to go to! Though I’d be curious to see how they organized people arriving and leaving.