Rock band Squeeze had been set to re-open the O2 Arena with a socially-distanced show on 5th December with an audience of 4,700 in the 200,000-capacity venue. This would have been the first gig at the arena in nine months after Covid-19 prevented live performances, however it was announced today that it will be moved to instead take place in March 2021.
This morning, organisers posted to the O2 website to reveal that the event will now go ahead on 27th March because of the new lockdown in place currently in the UK. Despite its supposed end on 2nd November, government advice suggests that it will not be safe to hold a large gathering, even with the strict rules which would be in place.
Squeeze, the first socially distanced live music event due to take place at The O2 on Saturday 5 December, has been rescheduled to Saturday 27 February 2021. Tickets remain valid for the new date. Read more >> https://t.co/3yVYX2is1J pic.twitter.com/AYvecLyKh4
— The O2 (@TheO2) November 19, 2020
Tickets are on sale now, selling in groups of two, three and four to ensure safety. Any tickets already purchased will remain valid for the new date.
O2 General Manager Steve Sayer commented, “Our arena is the beating heart of The O2 and we hugely miss the live experiences that we’re used to sharing with our fans. It’s disappointing to have to delay this show but I would like to say how grateful we are for the support we’ve received from the industry, fans and our partners and we look forward to Squeeze performing in the arena next year.”
Also postponed are Gary Barlow’s two tour dates at the O2, which have now been rescheduled along with the rest of his tour to winter 2021. The future of live music is still very uncertain, but it is hoped that by next year it will be able to go ahead again. Many artists and venues have already managed to hold live gigs throughout the summer, with the successful outdoor set-up of the Virgin Money Unity Arena. For the moment, musicians are continuing to hold live-streams with the help of platforms such as Bandcamp Live and Melody VR, who are collaborating the Brixton’s O2 Academy.
