Live Nation’s drive-in series has been cancelled over coronavirus concerns, while VMS Live has partly gone into administration…
Drive-in series
Live Nation has cancelled its drive-in concert series, which had sold out several venues, due to fears over COVID-19 spikes in the UK.
The Utilita Live From the Drive-In series, which kicked off ticket sales on June 22, had performances scheduled from the likes of The Streets, Dizzee Rascal and Kaiser Chiefs, among several others.
The concerts were due to be held across 12 venues in Birmingham, Liverpool and London, among several others, with around 300 cars permitted per show.
Audiences would have had their own designated area, with each vehicle distanced from one another. The series was designed to comply with all official guidelines to allow audiences to watch concerts, theatre performances, comedy shows and family experiences safely.
A statement from organisers said: “The Live From The Drive-In concert series will no longer proceed as planned this summer.
“We received huge support from artists, the live music production contractors… and of course you, the fans. However, the latest developments regarding localised lockdowns mean it has become impossible for us to continue with the series with any confidence.
“We thank everyone for their support and eagerly await a time when we can watch live music together again.”
The China Film Administration (CFA) announced it would begin to reopen cinemas in China’s “low-risk regions” from July 20.
Each screening will have a 30 per cent attendance cap and all tickets must now be sold virtually through real-name registered online reservations, and procured via contactless methods.
“Cinemas in low-risk regions can resume business in an orderly manner on July 20, with the effective implementation of prevention and control measures. Mid- and high-risk regions must temporarily remain closed,” the administration said in a statement posted to its official website.
“Once low-risk regions become designated as mid- or high-risk regions, they must strictly implement epidemic prevention and control measures…[and] cinemas must close again in a timely fashion in accordance with requirements.”
The CFA said that cinemas will be required to follow the “precise and scientific implementation of prevention and control measures.”
VMS Live
Events and venue management firm VMS Live has announced two of its six companies have entered administration due to the pressures of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The remaining four companies will continue to operate, though the firm will likely cut 20 full-time positions.
Bert van Horck, chief executive of VMS Live, said, according to the Hull Daily Mail: “I am deeply saddened that we had to make this decision, following the completion of the yearly accounts, the announcements of the government and the bank reconciliation, which lead us to be at immediate risk of trading whilst insolvent.
“I would like to thank all of our staff on behalf of Kate and I for the magnificent efforts made to try and save these two companies, both between September and March during normal trading and beyond into the Covid-19 enforced closure.”
The company, which operates venues such as The Welly, The Polar Bear and Hull Box Office, has taken down its websites so punters can no longer book tickets.
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