Mandatory mask wearing, capping admission numbers and strict seating plans are some of the vital new measures being enforced in order to keep the music industry alive. Venues across the country are finding ways to combat the spread of Covid-19 in an attempt to stay open and support a struggling live music scene. With over 400 grassroots venues in crisis, Coventry’s Kasbah and The Dark Horse in Birmingham are two amongst many venues that are working through this pandemic and introducing these new measures.
In 2018, £1.1bn was made by the live music sector alone, not forgetting the £5.2bn the music industry adds to the economy as a whole. Live performances play huge part in not only revenue, but the lives of artists and consumers. This years change in normality has left companies out of pocket and people itching for a good show – venues have stepped up their safety game to ensure peoples prayers are answered.
The Dark Horse in Moseley, Birmingham, has a usual capacity of 200 people; however, the venue has capped events at 45 tickets to ensure social distancing measures can enforced. The Kasbah in Coventry has also had to cap their shows from 1000 to 180 for the same reasons and to allow space for tables since standing gigs are no longer permitted. From now on you can only purchase tickets in tables to avoid mixing households and bubbles as much as possible, when you arrive you are to shown to your set table and are to wear a mask everywhere in the building unless you are seated at your designated table.
Myles Cheshire, a solo artist who has recently performed at both venues believes that “These measures are necessary at the moment to keep everyone as together and as happy as possible” and that “Creating a safe environment for live shows is a must to keep venues open and supported in these times”.
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