Live music back as 100- capacity gigs get green light in low infection areas
Live concerts with a capacity of up to 100 have been given the green light to resume again in the areas with the lowest coronavirus infection rates in Scotland.
Inverness and Stornoway are set to host some of the first indoor gigs this month, ending a hiatus triggered when concerts were halted in March.
Venues i n Level One are - as are now allowed to stage shows as long as crowds are seated, strict social distancing is enforced and track and trace measures are in place.
This effectively gives the goahead for small gigs in venues across Shetland, Orkney, Moray, the Western Isles and t he Highlands, which are deemed to have the lowest infection rates in Scotland at the moment.
Some venues will be able to stage shows with a capacity of up to 250 if they are able to accommodate t wo metre social distancing if the local area moves up to Level One.
Among the first gigs to go ahead will feature folk- rock group Torridon t onight at the Ironworks, an Inverness venue which has t wo other shows lined up over the next few weeks.
Kenny Smith of Torridon said: “We are delighted to be supporting our biggest local music venue in their fight for survival in the current climate and we look forward to welcoming a moderate crowd to safely enjoy a night of music together.”
He joked: "Whether we can remember how to play or not i s a different stor y, but we know the venue has gone to great lengths to ensure compliance with social distancing and event safety in line with the Tier One regulations. Even our dressing rooms have space allocated to ensure we all comply.
“This is sure to be a night never forgotten.”
Lewis s i nger- s ongwriter Colin Macleod is due to play two shows at the An Lanntair arts centre in Stornoway next week.
Culture secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “Restrictions have
undoubtedly saved lives but it has been hard to bear for fans who cannot see their favourite artists live and for people who have been unable to meet their
friends to make music together.
“S o me v e n u e s i n L e v e l O n e a r e a s a r e m a k i n g plans to open, which will be of
great interest and we are keen t o see how t hose concer t s go.”