Since the spread of Covid-19 has prevented live gigs from taking place in the interest of everyone’s safety, artists have been working to create opportunities to perform, and to secure the future of live music. On Tuesday 11th August, Sam Fender opened the first show at the UK’s first socially distanced outdoor music venue.
The venue is Virgin Money’s new Unity Arena, located at Newcastle Racecourse in Fender’s hometown, holding a total of 2,500 attendees – while social distancing, of course. Fans were spread out by two metres, standing on viewing platforms in groups of five. Tickets sold out in minutes, costing £32.50 per person, plus an additional £20 per group of five to reserve the viewing area.
Fender played songs from his popular debut album ‘Hypersonic Missiles’, as well as some new tracks, which are said to be from his next album, coming soon. These are speculated to be titled ‘The Kitchen’ and ‘Seventeen Going Under’, leaving one unnamed song.
Fans gave mixed reviews of the event, while Steve Davis, managing directer of SSD Concerts who helped put the event together, gave his thoughts: “Since all of our scheduled concerts have been postponed to later in the year and all venues in the city closed, the staff at SSD had a willingness to continue. We can’t be without music during these times so our only thought has been how can we bring music back to the British public safely and responsibly.”
This gig marks the beginning of a series of shows at the arena, co-created by the This Is Tomorrow Festival team. Acts to follow include Van Morrison, The Libertines, Two Door Cinema Club, and Supergrass. Sam Fender will also be taking to the stage again tonight for another sold out show.
View this post on InstagramBuzzing for round 2 tonight!! Doors 6pm @heidi_music_ 8pm @sam_fender 9pm
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With audience members following a one-way system and wearing face coverings whenever they left their viewing areas, the show seems to have gone extremely well. This could offer a new way of holding live events for the foreseeable future, however it still does nothing for any small grassroots venues or festivals. Last month, on 29th July, Frank Turner held his own socially distanced gig at the Clapham Grand. Unfortunately, it was deemed an unsuccessful and unsustainable business model by the venue’s manager, with Turner raising similar concerns.
