AS THIS ISSUE went to press the, Government did a U-turn on their decision to allow the resumption of indoor musical entertainment, with socially distanced audiences, on August 1, delaying the move by at least a fortnight. Earlier, ministers pledged to spend £1.57 billion to help cultural and heritage businesses that faced closure after being in shutdown for months, with £2.25 million being made available to help save around 150 grass-roots venues.
We seem unlikely to see the return of live music any time soon, after Live Nation cancelled their Live From The Drive-In tour package, set to begin on August 14, due to the threat of “localised lockdowns” in the 12 areas the package had been set to visit.
In more social distancing (or not) shenanigans, Great White apologised for playing at an outdoor concert North Dakota to an audience of hundreds with no social distancing or face coverings, claiming: “We are not in a position to enforce the laws.” They added: “We value the health and safety of each and every one of our fans, as well as our American and global community.”