Music festival without social distancing planned in pilot scheme

A live concert at Sefton Park on May 2 will not require the audience to be socially distanced, but attendees will have to provide proof of a coronavirus negative test before gaining entry
Blossoms to headline a live concert without social distancing. Credit: Liverpool City Council

Indie band Blossoms will headline a gig without social distancing as part of a Government pilot event.

The live concert at Sefton Park in Liverpool on May 2 will also feature The Lathums and Liverpool singer-songwriter Zuzu.

The audience will not be required to be socially distanced, but attendees will have to provide proof of a coronavirus negative test before gaining entry, ministers have confirmed.

  • Tickets can only be purchased by Liverpool City Region residents using this link.

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said he hoped the scientific experiment by the Events Research Programme (ERP), meant the wait for gigs to return would not be "too much longer".

Operating slightly below its capacity of 7,500, researchers on site will examine the movements and behaviour of the 5,000-strong crowd at Sefton Park next month.

Sefton Park in Liverpool Credit: Press Association

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) said the audience will not be socially distanced or required to wear face coverings in the controlled setting of the test event, meaning gig-goers will be able to enjoy the experience without physical restraints.

All attendees must have proof of a negative Covid-19 test result beforehand and will also be asked to take a test after the event, as ministers and scientists look to assess the safety of outdoor settings for masses of people not wearing face masks.

Ticket-holders will be required to take a lateral flow test, which can produce a result within 30 minutes, at a local testing centre before entry, to trial the role such facilities could play in the return of large-scale events, officials said.

The gig-goers will also have to provide contact details for NHS Test and Trace to ensure everyone can be reached in the event of a positive test.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the results from the event would "inform our approach to ensuring future big events can take place safely".

The event will be organised by music promoter Festival Republic in partnership with Culture Liverpool.

Claire McColgan, director of Culture Liverpool, said: "We should all be proud of the fact we're part of this brave endeavour which looks to get this vital sector back up and running and resilient once again."

Greg Parmley, chief executive of Live, the UK's live music industry body, said: "The addition of an outdoor music event in the line-up of ERP pilot shows is a hugely positive development and brings the summer festival season one step closer."

The first event as part of the scientific trial began on Saturday with the World Snooker Championships.

The FA Cup semi-final between Leicester City and Southampton on Sunday will host an audience of 4,000.

The information gathered from events as part of the Events Research Programme will be crucial to how all venues - from major sport stadiums and theatres to wedding venues, conference centres and nightclubs - could operate safely this summer, DCMS said.