Following in the footsteps of similar events held in the US and Denmark, tickets for the UK’s first socially distanced drive-in gigs went on sale at 10am this morning. Available through the website of tour management company Live Nation Entertainment, events are scheduled to take place all over the country boasting appearances from The Streets, Dizzee Rascal, and Kaiser Chiefs among others.
Beginning on the 17th of July and running through until mid September, each event will be welcoming up to 300 vehicles, with concert-goers welcome to stand in allocated spaces or sit in their own fold-out chairs as well as their cars. Pets, umbrellas, and externally brought food will however not be permitted. Events are set to be staged across twelve UK cities that include Liverpool, Edinburgh, Birmingham, and Bristol, and though London is also billed to be hosting several gigs, a venue has yet to be confirmed.
ON SALE: #UtilitaLiveFromTheDriveIn heads across the UK this summer feat. The Streets, Kaiser Chiefs, Gary Numan, Cream Classical Ibiza, Dizzee Rascal, Beverley Knight & more!
See the full line-up & get your tickets now https://t.co/BJnoovcZcd @UtilitaEnergy pic.twitter.com/vrOXsHWr64
— Live Nation UK (@LiveNationUK) June 22, 2020
In contrast to the numerous virtual music events that have taken place during lockdown, Live Nation promoted their tour dates by stating that “there is nothing that compares to you seeing your favourite musician or band on that stage”, though there are plenty in the industry who disagree. When The Guardian’s Kitty Empire recently spoke with a variety of artists, agents, labels, and venues, she noted that “no one … had anything positive to say about physically distanced gigs. At all”. Stuart Braithwaite of Scottish post-rock band Mogwai said: “with record sales dropping and streaming being so weighted in favour of the streaming companies, it’s going to be hard for a lot of musicians to live off their work”.
Braithwaite also warned that artists fees could change drastically over the next few years, something that Live Nation has already received criticism for when it reduced artists’ fees to 20% last week. With live music tours grinding completely to a halt as a result of the pandemic-enforced lockdown, the company underwent a share price drop from £60 to £23 in March, meaning that these drive-in shows will surely be vital to prevent them from going under.
Unlike the other listed artists, tickets to see The Streets perform will be made available for general sale on Friday. But if you were hoping to see Kaiser Chiefs from behind the wheel this summer then I’m afraid you’re out of luck; their two shows in Lincoln and Milton Keynes have already sold out. The cities and venues taking part in the drive-in gigs are listed below, whilst you can buy your tickets here.
Utilita Live From The Drive-In Participating Venues
Birmingham, Resorts World Arena
Bolton, University of Bolton Stadium
Bristol, Filton Airfield
Cheltenham, Cheltenham Racecourse
Edinburgh, The Royal Highland Centre
Leeds, Leeds East Airport
Lincoln , Lincolnshire Showground
Liverpool, Central Docks Liverpool Waters
London, *TBA*
Milton Keynes, The National Bowl
Newmarket, Newmarket Racecourse
Teesside, Teesside International Airport
