Latitude and Tramlines became the biggest UK festivals to be held since 2019 over the weekend with 40,000 music fans in attendance each day.
Bastille, The Chemical Brothers Damon Albarn and Rick Astley were among the headliners for Latitude, which was part of the Events Research Programme (ERP) and took place days just days after the easing of Covid-19 restrictions in England.
Fans had to show they have been vaccinated twice or tested negative for the virus before gaining entry to Latitude, which is held in Suffolk.
Two artists, Fontaines D.C. and Alfie Templeman, both pulled out of the event after positive Covid-19 tests.
Latitude was organised by Festival Republic, whose managing director, Melvin Benn, said the measures put in place made the site “close to being the safest place in England”.
Festival Republic has been involved in several ERP test events over the last few months, and said safety measures had been continuously improved. Some of the indoor entertainment areas had no sides this year, while ultraviolet air purifiers were installed in enclosed structures.
A spokesperson said: “We know from the data that fresh air is a huge factor in reducing the risk of COVID as it’s an airborne virus and it hates being outdoors!”
Tramlines, in Sheffield’s Hillsborough Park, was also part of the ERP schedule, with many of the same rules concerning testing and entry.
Many major festivals, including Glastonbury, have been cancelled this year after also being called off in 2020 due to the pandemic. However, Reading and Leeds are among those due to be held in the coming weeks.
Wembley Stadium welcomed 60,000 for the semi-finals and final of Euro 2020, while 120,000 fans attended this month’s British Grand Prix.
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