Live in-person music is back indoors in Scotland with the first gig since the Covid-19 lockdowns that began back in March. The first show was played at the Ironworks Venue in Inverness, Scotland. Inverness is in a section of the Highlands that is currently in tier 1 corona-virus restrictions, giving venues the green-light to host small indoor gatherings.
Ironworks took the opportunity to book shows with local bands only, as bands coming from tier-3 Covid areas are not welcome to perform for safety reasons. Those who wish to buy tickets should note that they will not be permitted in the building if they are coming from tier-3 areas as well.
The show was headlined by local-indie band Torridon, playing to a maximum audience of an intimate 100; Ironworks usually holds up to 1000 capacity. Protocols for the first indoor gig were strict with attendees instructed to remain seated in their zones and follow the usual social-distancing guidelines.
LIVE MUSIC IS BACK!
We are delighted to announce that our first show since March is happening next Saturday 21st November. And who better to grace our stage than local favourites Torridon!
TICKETS on sale Friday 13th November @ 5pm via Ticketwebhttps://t.co/BZOsHtwzqa pic.twitter.com/RE0IcQx9zj
— Ironworks (@IronworksVenue) November 12, 2020
All in attendance were required to wear masks upon entering and exiting the venue and while walking to the toilet from their seats. Seating was done in four zones, 6, 4, 2 and 1 while only allowing up to 6 heads at a table between up to 2 households. Mingling amongst tables was strictly forbidden, as was dancing and standing for any reason other than necessary.
All tickets for this first in-person concert were done online via e-ticket, the box-office was closed to further show an effort to adhere to safety regulations. Sanitizers were placed throughout the building and upon entering Ironworks utilized the NHS Track and Trace platform so that all in attendance be protected and informed were there a case of the virus later discovered.
Davy & Sam Cowan Under Lockdown Saturday 28th November 2020! Tickets on sale NOW: https://t.co/ipZuIVdtqR pic.twitter.com/pNgoYtggVx — Ironworks (@IronworksVenue) November 13, 2020
Ironworks director Caroline Campbell stated that this new form of live concerts is the new normal for Saturday nights. She went on to comment on the future of in-person music events, saying that it is going to be different. It is not going to be what people are used to.
Due to its level-one safety restrictions, Inverness is now historically paving the way for what the transitional period in live-music will look like throughout the UK in the coming months and perhaps years. As lockdown slowly lifts, venues such as Ironworks will lay the foundation for what is to expected for new norms in live music.
This is the first inkling of the light at the end of the tunnel. Importantly, this is the beginning of the end for the financial suffering that music venues throughout the UK have experienced during lockdown.
