Live Nation Entertainment is to stage its first concert in Germany since March at the start of next month with around 12,000 fans set to attend a concert headlined by Bryan Adams.
Live Nation is organising the ‘Give Live A Chance’ gig at Düsseldorf’s Merkur Spiel-Arena on September 4 which will feature a number of artists including Canadian rock star Adams, Sarah Connor and Rea Garvey. It will be the biggest event in the country in almost six months, although the 66,000-capacity arena will be less than a fifth full due to social distancing restrictions.
While large-scale events are banned in Germany until November, the Federal Government announced in June that only festivals and fairs that are able to track infections and comply with hygiene rules can welcome spectators.
“A comprehensive health, hygiene and safety programme will be in place to ensure that the show meets the high standards set out in the current guidelines,” Live Nation said in a statement.
Tickets for the gig go on sale on August 11 via Ticketmaster.
Fans will have to register their contact details when buying their tickets and agree to the special terms and conditions of this all-seated, two-and-a-half-hour concert.
I’ve been invited to perform at the first large social distancing concert in Germany at the Merkur Spiel-Arena in Dusseldorf on 4th September. I’m playing acoustically with Gary on piano. Tickets go on sale Tuesday,… https://t.co/NAhwpxblMS
— Bryan Adams (@bryanadams) August 6, 2020
All fans must wear face masks and the seating arrangements will ensure social distancing of 1.5m.
Further measures include larger waiting areas outside the stadium, tiered entry and exit time slots, an alcohol ban as well as regular disinfecting and additional hygiene precautions.
“The fans, artists, and crew, as well as the entire music industry, have been eagerly awaiting this moment,” said Live Nation Germany chief executive Marek Lieberberg.
“We are opening the door for the return of live music which now has the opportunity to resume after the unpredicted intermission. We know that fans are enthusiastic to experience live music once again, and we’re excited to be able to bring them that opportunity.”
Live Nation admitted that the restricted capacity means the concert is being held as a celebration of live music rather than a money-making venture.
Lieberberg added: “Of course, this is by no means a return to normality, but a first essential attempt to at least break free from the crippling grip and let culture take place again. The aim is to gradually get the venues fully open again. Because with a capacity reduced by a quarter, neither club nor stadium concerts can be held economically.”
‘Give Live A Chance’ will take place over the same weekend as Roland Kaiser’s ‘Back To Live – Open Airs 2020’ concert at the Waldbühne in Berlin. The concert, organised by events promoter Semmel Concerts, is expected to attract 5,000 fans at the 22,000-capacity venue.
Gatherings of more than two people were initially banned in Germany on March 22 after an agreement between the Federal Government and the 16 regions. Regions had begun restricting gatherings from the beginning of the month.
Image: Marco Maas (Flickr)/Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)/Edited for size
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