Here's what a show at the UK's first "dedicated socially distanced" venue looks like
The UK’s first “dedicated socially distanced music venue,” Virgin Money Unity Arena in Gosforth Park, Newcastle, held its first show on Tuesday (8/11) night. British artist Sam Fender performed to a crowd of around 2500 attendees, separated into small groups in individually barricaded viewing spaces. You can see what it all looked like, and read some attendee reactions, in the Instagram and Twitter posts below.
The UK also began trying out socially distanced indoor shows, starting with this Frank Turner gig. Organizers said it wasn’t a success, though; with attendance capped at not even 20% of the venue’s capacity, it’s “not a financial model that the industry can remotely rely upon to get to be sustainable,” they said.
Meanwhile, in the US, some recent shows — including ones with Yo La Tengo and Richard Thompson — have adhered to social distancing guidelines, while others have appeared to be too crowded with not enough people appearing to be wearing masks, like Smash Mouth, Trapt, The Chainsmokers, and Great White.
https://twitter.com/_BrianHam/status/1293250478214656002
https://www.instagram.com/p/CDzA2dSnzWp/
The UK’s first socially distanced gig is happening now in Newcastle with @samfendermusic headlining, and where attendees have their own private viewing area with 2m of space between them. Here’s what it looks like #samfender #unityarena pic.twitter.com/YBdxpAjYyi
— Kieron Donoghue (@kierondonoghue) August 11, 2020
So this is a Sam Fender concert last night. Great that you can hear live music again. So why can’t non league football allow fans in. #LetFansIn pic.twitter.com/CSWVZYmReY
— ScottCassell (@ScottCassell12) August 12, 2020
https://www.instagram.com/p/CDwlpM1H_WN/
Sam Fender in Newcastle tonight. It all looks very strange but fair play to the organisers for finding a way to get live music out there again. pic.twitter.com/cofezOiLyp
— Sarah (@StageySarah) August 11, 2020
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! 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!! pic.twitter.com/fK4ve5P5oo
— Jonathan Morgan (@jonathanamorgan) August 12, 2020
https://twitter.com/alishamhenry/status/1293315094034747401
Love Sam Fender but if that's what the future is, count me out. That's not what gigs are for me. It's the atmosphere of being surrounded by others captivated by whats going on on the stage loving life..
— Ash (@Ashley_JS92) August 11, 2020
https://www.instagram.com/p/CDyits7BlFN/
First socially distant #event #concert in the world #VMUnityArena Sam Fender holding the first ever for the #NorthEast #NewcastleUponTyne @samfendermusic Wow!!! pic.twitter.com/dt9gm8LV5n
— Christian Taylor (@CTaylorSage) August 11, 2020
https://www.instagram.com/p/CDzBHbZDBDt/
https://www.instagram.com/p/CDzBW1DFrQA/
https://www.instagram.com/p/CDyLgmXgVd7/