Here in my car I feel safest of all
GARY NUMAN SIGNS UP FOR LIVE SUMMER DRIVE-IN GIGS
LIVE music is coming back at last but this time you will have to bring your car.
A host of big names including pop legend Gary Numan are taking part in a new Live Nation concert series called Utilita Live From The Drive-in, which in essence means drivein concerts.
Fans can park at one of 12 big UK locations to watch their favourite acts this summer, while ensuring they are safe and following guidelines.
I spoke to Gary Numan, the ideal candidate to perform at a social distancing gig considering his 1979 hit Cars goes:
He told me: “It’s a celebration that we’re back.
“When I heard about it I thought it was the most genius idea, it seemed like such a bold thing to try and such a fantastic thing to do in such a difficult moment.” And naturally Gary will be playing Cars live for the fans.
He laughed: “I think I’d be shot if I didn’t play it. There is a reasonable chance that I was asked to do it because I wrote Cars, I can’t deny that.”
These will be no ordinary gigs, with up to 300 cars facing a festival-sized stage: “I’m not sure how people are going to clap to the song, I’m expecting lots of car horns.
“I think it will be great and the people who turn up will be part of something novel.”
Gary is glad that these gigs are starting after so many musicians and people in the industry have been struggling.
He explained: “I was supposed to tour in October but that’s off.
“I already know people my own little circle that are in trouble, not just in
THE Streets, Jack Savoretti, Lightning Seeds and Nathan Dawe are just some of the names already lined up for the Utilita Live From The Drive-in gigs taking place from July to September.
Choose from morning, afternoon, early evening and night performances, at 12 major locations including Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Leeds, Lincoln, Liverpool, London and more.
You can bring a folding chair to sit beside your car and take your own food. Refreshments will be available.
Visit Livenation.co.uk for full details. in bands but crew, PA and lighting companies, transport companies, merchandise, bar staff.
“It’s an enormous industry and it just stopped overnight for everybody. So something like this is such a positive statement.”
Now, living in LA, he just has to work out the logistics: “My band is British but my crew are American so what I need to figure out is the quarantine situation, can we rehearse together?
“Can we even travel together? But I’m sure it will all get ironed out. These gigs are different but like everything we’re adapting.
“It’s like we no longer shake hands, we tap elbows. When you’re in your car you’ll be involved in a new way.”
See below for details of other artists at the events and how to get involved.
DUFFY has shared a new song on her social media channels.
Piano ballad River In the Sky is the second track the Welsh singer has aired since detailing a horrific ordeal in which she was drugged and held captive for weeks.
The lyrics speak of her desire to heal: “I faced a deeply inhumane experience; only humanity can heal that.”
She added: “For the better days to come.”