BARCELONA WAS A BLUEPRINT FOR US ALL
A PILOT event in Spain could be a massive prototype for the rest of the world’s gig organisers.
Geoff Ellis, of DF Concerts, said the entire industry was buoyed to see 5000 music fans hugging, dancing and singing along at a sold-out gig by rockers Love of Lesbian in Barcelona on Saturday night after rapid Covid-19 tests were used.
Tests are now available for £5 and can be done either at home on the day of the gig or before entry.
Ellis said: “It has been a while coming but the Barcelona breakthrough is what I’ve been talking about for a couple of months and it’s great to see something on this scale going down with such success.
“We now have rapid tests with 90 per cent efficacy costing just a fiver – exactly what is needed as we make the jump back to normality.
“It’s a template that we can all work from. Getting people in the venue without social distancing is the massive step, as no gigs can make any money without that.”
Masks were mandatory at the Barcelona show and health controls at the entrance delayed the start, but the atmosphere was at fever pitch as singer Santi
Balmes announced: “Welcome to one of the most exciting concerts of our lives.”
Organiser Jordi Herruela said: “It will be safer than walking down the street.”
Pre-concert testing at three Barcelona locations was carried out by 80 nurses wearing full personal protective equipment.
Only a handful of fans tested positive throughout the whole day.