Survey: Majority of Industry Professionals Believe Full Capacity Events Will Return in 2021

Author Erica Banas // Rock Music Reporter

September 28th, 2020 12:59 PM

The concert/live event industry remains one of the hardest-hit during the coronavirus pandemic, but a number of professionals are rather optimistic about 2021 seeing a return to full capacity concerts and events.

Pollstar & VenuesNow shared their “2020 State of the Industry Survey” in which over 1,350 professionals participated in, and 54.7% of those surveyed said they believe their industry would be back at full capacity in 2021.

Of that 54.7%, 2.07% of respondents think full capacity events will happen in Q1 2021, while 16.26% said Q2 2021, 24.76% said Q3 2021 and 11.60% said Q4 2021.

Of the remaining respondents on that poll, 30.6% said full capacity events wouldn’t return until 2022, while 14.71% said “I have no idea.”

The survey notes, “But it is further encouraging that the survey asked only when the industry would return to ‘full capacity,’ when certainly the live business will be considerably further along than currently. This because we have seen a slow but steady return of live events since at least May 18, when Travis McCready, formerly of Bishop Gunn, safely and successfully played the first ticketed comeback show at TempleLive in Fort Smith, Ark., to last weekend where The Dallas Cowboys beat the Atlanta Falcons before 21,708 fans at AT&T Stadium.”

8 Changes Likely to be Made at Concerts During COVID-19

• Musicians on stage may have to abide by social distancing rules.

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  Per the ESA's guide, "The authoritative guidance requiring not less than six feet (two meters) of social distance may have to be expanded for singers and musical instrument players. Musicians often breathe deeply and expel aerosols further than people engaged in non-physical activities. Their performance space, including on stage and in orchestra pits, should be arranged to maximize social distancing while allowing at least some of them to perform together."  

• Getting a drink will be even more of a process.

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  In addition to there being a recommended worker for just ringing up drink orders, "At a self-service restaurant or concession stand, the number of counter staff should be limited consistent with social distancing. Workers should place food and beverages on the table, counter, or other surface rather than handing purchases directly to patrons...Bartenders should model safe behavior by wearing a face covering and gloves when they are behind the bar...Patrons should hold their own identification for bartender inspection. If a worker must handle a patron’s ID, the worker should then dispose of their gloves and wash their hands before resuming service."

• If there’s an intermission, people won’t be dismissed all at once.

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  Per the ESA's guide, "Intermission presents the same social distancing challenges as ingress [entering a venue] and egress [exiting a venue], with the distinction that some patrons will remain seated. For everyone who chooses to get up, they will have to be led out from back to front, and patrons will not be allowed to congregate inside or outside restrooms or near lobby concession stands. Even with fewer people attending events during the early phase of reopening, intermission may have to be longer than before to allow time for socially distanced patron movement. Given these issues, including how to let some people out of a row while others remain seated, the path of least resistance may simply be shorter shows with no intermission."
• Any changes a venue makes needs to be very visible to the public.

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  If a venue makes any changes to policies related to how they handle health and safety issues, they are advised to make them as clear as possible and list them basically everywhere including on their website, social media channels, various ticket purchasing sites, emails/push notifications, their mobile app and signage in their venue. In other words: Get ready for A LOT of updates.

• Restrooms will likely have strict person limits.

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  Per the ESA's guide, "Workers should limit occupancy of restrooms to ensure social distancing. Unless portable restroom facilities are added, this will likely result in patrons waiting outside the restroom doors. The area where they are waiting will require monitoring to preserve (a) appropriate space between patrons and (b) an easily discernible line to avoid conflict about where the line begins. 

• Socially-Distanced Smoking Areas.

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  It's recommended that "... even hallways and smoking areas where patrons congregate will have to be monitored to enforce health policies."
• No Merch Tables/Stands.

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  Instead of buying an artist's t-shirt at a merch stand/booth, it's recommended that "...items for sale can be posted on a web site or event app that allows for mobile ordering and on-site pickup." If there is a merch table/booth present, "Mark merchandise sales lines on floor, with barricade, or rope and stanchion, patrolled by guest services workers to provide information and enforce social distancing." It's also recommended there be no trying on of merch and to have contactless payment.

• No Moshing/Crowd Surfing.

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  Per the Event Safty Alliance's (ESA) 'Reopening Guide for Event Professionals During the COVID-19 Pandemic,' "Patrons cannot all stand at the front of the stage like they are accustomed; moshing and crowd surfing are violations of social distancing per se and must be absolutely prohibited during this pandemic."

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Author Erica Banas // Rock Music Reporter

Category:

• Music

Tags:

concerts,Coronavirus,COVID-19