World’s first socially-distanced gig: Singer Sam Fender will entertain up to 2,500 fans at Newcastle venue where groups of five will watch concert on raised metal platforms
- Concert at Gosforth Park, Newcastle will see attendees watch from platforms
- Some 500 raised enclosures will be 6.5ft apart with up to five guests inside each
- Fender’s show will mark the UK’s first live music event since lockdown began
Singer Sam Fender will kick off a series of socially-distanced gigs tonight when he performs for 2,500 people at a park in Newcastle.
Up to five attendees from the same household will watch the show on private viewing platforms to reduce the risk of spreading coronavirus.
The 500 raised enclosures at Gosforth Park will be 6.5ft apart, and revellers will be able to order food and drink to the space.
Fender’s home-town concert will be the UK’s first music event of its kind since Covid-19 restrictions were introduced in March, and promoters say it marks the world’s first socially-distanced gig.
Singer Sam Fender will kick off a series of socially-distanced gigs tonight when he performs for 2,500 people at Gosforth Park in Newcastle. Pictured: The venue
The Brit Awards winner, 26, will headline sold out shows tonight and on Thursday.
Other acts lined up for the pop-up venue throughout August and September include music legend Van Morrison, The Libertines and Maximo Park.
Comedians Jimmy Carr and Bill Bailey will also play at the temporary arena.
The events, organised by Virgin Money and SSD Concerts, will have a one-way system in place and concert-goers can preorder food and drink.
Attendees from the same household will watch the show in groups of up to five on private viewing platforms to reduce the risk of spreading coronavirus. Pictured: The platforms
Fender’s home-town concert will be the UK’s first live music event of its kind since Covid-19 restrictions were introduced in March
Helen Page, group brand and marketing director at Virgin Money, said: ‘We are delighted to play a part in bringing back live music events as we start to emerge from lockdown.
‘This feels like a unique opportunity to celebrate music and all the wonderful emotions that come with experiencing it live alongside other music fans.’
Promoters SD Concerts said the safety of the audience will be protected, with each viewing platform having its own table, chairs and fridge.
The Brit Awards winner, 26, (pictured) will headline shows tonight and on Thursday, the first of which sold out minutes after tickets went on sale
Pictured: The pop-up venue as it was put together in Newcastle earlier this month
People from the same household will arrive at the venue, park up them enjoy the concert from their own private area.
It comes after a drive-in production of the West End musical Six was cancelled due to the potential of local lockdowns amid the pandemic.
The shows, which sold out at several venues, were expected to feature the likes of the Kaiser Chiefs, Dizzee Rascal and Sigala, the BBC reported.
But promoters said the Government’s implementation of local lockdowns meant they couldn’t go ahead with the tour with ‘confidence.’