Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
RETURN OF GIGS WITH BRITS SHOW
Awards help bring back live music
THE Brit Awards will be the first major indoor music event to return, in a massive boost to the struggling industry.
The show on May 11 will welcome 4,000 fans with no masks or social distancing. Over half the audience will be key workers selected by ballot, all from London to minimise travel. The indoor ceremony and live show at the O2 Arena in Greenwich, to air on ITV, is part of the Government’s scientific events research programme. Fans must have proof of a negative lateral flow test result to get in, and provide contact details for NHS Test and Trace. They will then be tested after the show to gather “further evidence” on the safety of such an event. Music bosses believe the large-scale indoor event will pave the way for the return of live gigs across the country. Dua Lipa, who has been nominated for three Brits, said: “This has been a long, tough year for everyone and I’m delighted the night will honour the key worker heroes who have cared for us so well during that time and continue to do so. This will truly make it a night to remember.” She, Arlo Parks and Headie One are among those scheduled to perform during the ceremony, hosted by Jack Whitehall.
The Government is trialling a similar scheme at the World Snooker Championships at the Sheffield Crucible and an outdoor gig at Sefton Park in Liverpool. The evidence from these pilots will feed into government policy for opening up venues across England. Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said: “This year’s awards will reunite live audiences with the best of British talent while providing a vital opportunity to see how we can get large crowds back safely as soon as possible.”
Brits chief Geoff Taylor said: “We hope it will provide a path for the return of live music.” O2 boss Danielle Kennedy-clark called it “an important step on the path to recovery for the live entertainment industry.”