insiderblmMusic fans in Liverpool are to get the chance to enjoy a near-normal gig as part of a government pilot event.
A crowd of 5,000 will see headline act Blossoms without having to social-distance or wear face coverings.
But they will only get into the 2 May event by having a negative Covid test.
Meanwhile, the FA Cup semi-final between Leicester City and Southampton at London’s Wembley Stadium will host a crowd of 4,000 later as part of a series of government trial events.
On Sunday, the UK recorded 1,882 new Covid cases and 10 deaths within 28 days of a positive test, according to the latest government figures. The number of deaths recorded over the weekend tends to be lower because of reporting delays.
More than 32.8 million people have had their first dose of a coronavirus vaccine, while more than 9.9 million people have had their second dose.
The outdoor concert at Sefton Park will operate below its capacity of 7,500.
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, the Department for Digital Culture Media and Sport said.
Attendees will also be asked to take a test after the concert – and will have to provide contact details to NHS Test and Trace to ensure they can be reached if someone who attended tests positive.
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said: “We’re one step closer to a summer of live events now our science-led programme is under way.
“Testing different settings and looking at different mitigations is key to getting crowds back safely.”
“I hope it won’t be too much longer until gigs are back for good,” he added.
Announcing Blossoms as headliners, Claire McColgan, director of Culture Liverpool, told BBC Radio 5 Live’s Breakfast it was nearly two years since the city had held outdoor mass-attendance events.
She said scientists would assess how attendees move and respond during the gig, and voluntary tests taken afterwards will be used to identify any infections that might arise.
“The stuff you see on stage is just a tiny, tiny part of it,” she said. “It’s loads of people’s jobs – it’s 60,000 jobs across our city region.”
Who are Blossoms?
- Blossoms are an indie-pop band from Stockport, Manchester
- Tom Ogden is the lead vocalist, Charlie Salt is on bass, Josh Dewhurst on lead guitar, Joe Donovan on drums and Myles Kellock on keyboards
- 2016 was a major breakthrough year for the band, when their self-titled debut album landed at number one on the official albums chart
- Their most-streamed songs on Spotify are Charlemagne, There’s A Reason Why (I Never Returned Your Calls), and Your Girlfriend
- They were on a UK tour as the coronavirus pandemic struck in March 2020 – with their biggest gig at Manchester Arena cancelled during the first lockdown
- They are hoping to perform at the Victorious, TRNSMT and Kendal Calling festivals later this year
Source: Official Charts, Spotify, and @BlossomsBand
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the results from the concert 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.
Greg Parmley, chief executive of Live, the UK’s live music industry body, said the outdoor pilot was “a hugely positive development and brings the summer festival season one step closer”.
