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Are the ‘New Normal’ Live Events Working in the UK?

Andy Robertson

With easing of restrictions on live performances for both outdoor and indoor events are these working in practice? With reduced audience numbers and relatively tightly controlled restrictions are event goers having fun? How are the restrictions working in reality and will event organisers turn a profit? 


There is no doubt that after months of lockdowns the news of resumption of live events is welcome by all but what is the experience of live events that have run since returning in the last few weeks? Of course, all performance artists are keen to get back into performing live and there have been reports of some big-name artists asking to perform at just about any live event that is now running.

Due to the new rules regarding social distancing measures the audience capacity of most events has been reduced, this impacts on tickets sales revenue for organisers but means that an audience can be suitably distanced from each other. Small groups, often 
separated by several metres must order food and drinks using an app and there are restrictions on using toilet facilities, one at a time and no queuing allowed.

Some proposed live events under the ‘new normal’ restrictions have had to be cancelled despite the efforts to comply by organisers. There have been concerns voiced by venue owners and local authorities about the spread of COVID-19 by having hundreds or thousands of event goers descending on one location.

For event goers the experience will take some getting used to and will suit those who have a more relaxed disposition. For those that enjoy the thrill of a mosh pit it's probably not going to be so much fun and the atmosphere could be a little sterile? No matter who the event attendees are the social distancing measures could well be ignored as the alcohol flows and there have been reports of this occurring at some events run under the 'new normal' regime.

There is no doubt event organisers should persevere and get performance artists back in action and least get the events scene up and running again. With audience numbers vastly reduced, in some cases at 10% of capacity, it is difficult to see how a profit can be turned out of running live events under the 'new normal' restrictions. It is going to be the case that all involved (venues, artists and equipment suppliers for example) are going to have to be flexible with fees and charges if events are to take place at all. Suffice to say it is going to take time to adjust but if the live music events industry pulls together the future is still bright. 

If you use an events management software solution like FestivalPro it already has built in functionality for all your event management needs. The guys who are responsible for this software have been in the front line of event management for many years and the features are built from that experience and are performance artists themselves. The FestivalPro platform is easy to use and has all the features you need to plan and manage every aspect of your live music event covering logistics around compliance with new normal restrictions. 

Photo by Dariusz Grosa from Pexels

Andy Robertson
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