The first Government-requested pilot concert took place in London to test measures which could see the safe return of live music.
Frank Turner performed at the Clapham Grand last night, which operated with less than 20% of its usual capacity – 200 reduced from 1,250.
Temperature checks, staggered entrance and exit times and one-way systems will become part of the ‘new normal’ for concerts.
Although crowds normally stand at the venue, seating and tables have been put in to allow for social distancing.
Audience members will get table service and they have been asked to arrive at staggered intervals.
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One-way systems have been put in place around the venue and people will be temperature checked as they enter the building.
Speaking before the show, folk singer Frank Turner said it would be a different experience with the new measures in place.
He added: ‘A huge part of performance is the energy exchange with the crowd and as a performer you feed off that energy that is coming back at you.
‘You put it out, it comes back and it becomes a kind of virtuous circle and that is what makes a great show.
‘It is obviously going to be much harder to slip into that groove for many obvious reasons.’
The venue’s manager Ally Wolf said the number of staff working at the venue for the Government-backed pilot ‘dramatically increased’ from what would normally be expected.
‘All our operational costs have gone up… and we are now operating at 20% of our actual capacity to actually facilitate the show, so our revenue has just gone through the floor,’ he said.
‘This business model of operating like this isn’t feasible for the majority of live music venues, or most venues.’
Mr Wolf said the south London venue, which was formerly a variety hall, could adapt for the pilot because of its size.
He added it would not be possible for other venues and they are ‘not setting a precedent’ for the live music industry as a whole.
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