How Concerts May Change After Coronavirus
How Concerts May Change After Coronavirus: Almost every industry has suffered some setback, loss, or decline from the global crisis that is COVID-19. But while others may consider getting back up soon with new methods of safety to support them, the music industry precisely concerts may not be so lucky.
In Joe Spaulding’s words, “We are going to be the last industry to open and there are lots of reasons for that. We are an organization that has crowds and it is impossible in our theaters to self-distance. Period. And not only is it impossible for the audience members, but it is also impossible to lower the capacity to try to do that.”
“But more so, and just as important, you can’t self-distance backstage. Putting lights up, ready to do shows, rehearsals, actors [or musicians] in the dressing room, all that goes along with it. That does not work.” the president and CEO of Boston’s Boch Center added.
These are the major concerns for live music or concerts in a nutshell. How do you keep people from rubbing shoulder to shoulder while screaming their favorite lyrics? Some say it be might up to 2021 or whenever a vaccine is available before concerts can begin again.
So far some artists have tried to adjust to the new normal by taking on a different approach to live music.
Travis McCready of blues-rock band Bishop Gunn performed what has been dubbed as the first American pandemic concert. The concert took place in Fort Smith, Arkansas where the venue Venue TempleLive accommodated up to 200 fans a steep decrease from its usual capacity of 1000. The guests were required to wear masks, observe social distancing via the blocked off assigned seats, and temperature checks were performed at the entrance in addition to the use of hand sanitizers. If you are wondering what happens to restroom breaks, only a maximum of 10 people at a time were allowed in the restroom.
Another example was the earlier secret drive-in concert by Keith Urban for 200 health-care workers. This happened outside Nashville, and the workers watched and listened from their cars.
It might almost appear both artists have shown the way but as Travis Rieder, an assistant director of education initiatives and research scholar said, a shortage of tests and the lack of vaccine simply makes things too risky. Most of us can admit that he is right.
There are already a few predictions on the changes or precautions that might come into play in the short term. These include handwashing stations, sanitizer stations, temperature checks at the gate, and mandatory mask-wearing.
Guests may also be required to register at some events to make contact tracing possible should any surprising developments or reports of an infected person at such events come up.
Maintaining safety measures like hand washing and the others are simple enough, but the game changes with social or physical distancing at a large concert.
“We are flexible creatures. We’re going to have to do things differently. We can find ways to do the things we love.” Reider said. Yes, it is quite apt.
Read more from I On The Scene: HERE.
