Live indoor gigs in England can return this weekend

Tirzah, Simple Things 2018 © Patrick Bethell
Tirzah, Simple Things 2018 © Patrick Bethell

Music venues in England can reopen on Saturday (15 August).

Last month, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced in a press conference that indoor gigs in England can return from 1 August. This was postponed after England saw an increase in coronavirus cases. Now, the PM has announced that music venues – excluding nightclubs – can reopen from tomorrow. Gig spaces must implement social distancing rules.

This comes as part of a wave of new changes in the country, which also allows for theatre venues, bowling alleys, casinos, skating rinks and soft play centres to reopen this weekend. Alongside the easing of rules this Saturday, larger fines will be introduced for illegal raves. Clubs and sex entertainment venues are to remain shut.

The new rules come after a series of protests in the UK. #WeMakeEvents marches were held to raise awareness of the threat of job losses in the cultural sector. Over 300 music, theatre and cultural venues were illuminated in red as part of the Red Alert campaign. Venues such as Wembley Stadium, The Royal Albert Hall and The Wales Millennium Centre showed their support by turning their lights red and using the hashtag #LightItInRed online.