While a decision on Ireland's ability to enter Stage 4 is set for the end of this month, various pubs, clubs, venues, and festivals remain closed due to the risk of COVID.
However, some smaller venues, like Whelan's in Dublin, have put plans in place for socially-distanced seated gigs with limited capacities over the next few weeks.
For example, at Whelan's, their capacity will be greatly reduced with all shows being seated.
Regarding some of the new safety measures for audience members, these include the following; assigned seating at tables only, temperature checks at the entry, disinfectant hand rub at the entrance and throughout the venue, table service only, and contact details must be provided.
For the artists that are performing, some of the rules include the following; they're not allowed to share microphones, all mics must be disinfected after use, and no more than 3 or 4 on stage at any one time.
Despite these new measures, it's encouraging that various venues and promoters are already booking acts for next year because here's hoping that live music will return to its important place in Irish culture and society.
However, when it does return, gigs and festivals are likely to be very different.
If any music fan would like an insight into what's potentially in store for live music, especially at festivals, the UK's first big socially-distanced gig took place in Newcastle.
Sam Fender played to a crowd of 2,500 people at Gosforth Park in Newcastle. As you can see in the video below, the crowd were grouped into 500 small viewing platforms that had a capacity of 5 people.
Speaking with the BBC, Steve Davis from SSD Concerts said these platforms gave "a great view of the stage" but would keep people apart.
"As you can see it's a vast site - 45,000 sq metres, the equivalent of over six football pitches, which is crazy. On a normal day, you can get 45,000 people in here, but our capacity for the gigs will be 2,500.
Organised by Virgin Money and SSD Concerts, the gigs have a one-way system in place and food and drink can be pre-ordered to avoid queuing.
Here's what it looked like.
Next up it’s @samfendermusic
🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀 pic.twitter.com/12Sl5R6Mi9— Virgin Money Unity Arena (@VMUnityArena) August 11, 2020
YES NEWCASTLE 👑 #VMUnityArena 🚀 pic.twitter.com/mZqC6kwkml
— Virgin Money Unity Arena (@VMUnityArena) August 11, 2020
The UK’s first socially distanced gig is happening now in Newcastle with @samfendermusic headlining, and where attendees have their own private viewing area with 2m of space between them. Here’s what it looks like #samfender #unityarena pic.twitter.com/YBdxpAjYyi
— Kieron Donoghue (@kierondonoghue) August 11, 2020
