As the government’s roadmap for cautiously reopening British society looms larger, there are few everyday pleasures from our past lives as longingly craved as that of live music. We had a local glimpse of what socially distanced gigs could look like last August, when acts including Sam Fender performed in Gosforth Park’s pop-up arena, until local lockdown ended the experiment – another blow to both the hospitality and arts sector.
May could see the return of live music with notable restrictions, with the famed date of June 21st signalling the possible end of restrictions in general, if things go to plan. As this approaches, pop-up arenas in green spaces are as far from the minds of intimate venues as Flaming Lips-style bubble concerts. These locations will be forced to innovate as things change in ways both anticipated and unexpected.
Russell Poad, Events Manager at Bobik’s in Newcastle, summarised the current mixture of tentativeness and hope: “At Bobik’s, we’re taking a cautious approach that puts safety first. We’ve got a series of socially distanced and reduced capacity gigs scheduled from May 21st to July 24th. We’re exclusively socially distanced until Buffet Lunch come down from Scotland on July 16th for a full-capacity gig. We’re excited about returning but also very mindful to maintain any necessary safety protocols.”
Jimmy Beck, Managing Director at KU Promotions, and owner of KU in Stockton, summed up the value of official advice, while sounding a widely shared note of caution about June 21st: “The recent roadmap announcement has finally given live music venues some hope and actually having a date to work to is great news. For over 12 months, there has been a lot of uncertainty that has seen us constantly having to reschedule shows. We are planning on opening for socially-distanced events in May…and the plan is to have standing shows from June 21st onwards. However, something is telling me that things may change in the build-up to it all.”
Meanwhile, The Globe in Newcastle lays claim to having pioneered a hybrid model of streaming and live audiences during the autumn and has already chalked up 100 such performances. The venue is primed to welcome back audiences on Friday 21st May for Martha Hill’s visit, having utilised the pandemic as an opportunity to refurbish and develop its audio, video and lighting capabilities. Debra Milne, co-chair of the co-op that owns The Globe, stated: “Our livestreaming is very successful and we will certainly continue it after audiences can return to the venue. We are aiming to provide the best of both worlds.” This evidences some of the fresh-thinking of local venues during the pandemic.
Every venue is unique and all will face their own challenges as circumstances develop over the coming months. Performance spots are preparing for the return of gigs, whether socially distanced, unrestricted or otherwise, and are clearly thrilled by the chance to greet us again. Although there will be twists and turns, a brave new world of live music awaits us, hopefully now within reach.
