The loosening restrictions amidst the pandemic have given hope for musicians and event organizers who have been unable to hold live concerts in a long while. But when concerts were prohibited, the live event industry saw changes in audience expectations and safety precautions.
Holding a live concert today will take several tweaks to ensure that your event becomes a pleasant experience for both the performer and audience. These are some of the best ways to prioritize safety and enjoyment in putting together live events during COVID-19.
Be Particular about Your Venue
Viewers’ main consideration when deciding whether to buy a ticket to a concert is, of course, who the artist is. No one would go to the show of a musician they do not like. Alternatively, if they are invested enough in the artist, many people would buy a ticket despite their challenges to watch the show.
Still, you need a venue that caters to the kinds of performances the musician will show and the kinds of fans who will be there to watch it.
Does the artist attract fans who like indie music and watching intimate shows? Does the artist have a following that necessitates shows in arenas? Answer these kinds of questions to lock in the right venue.
In the earlier parts of the pandemic, when artists could only livestream their concerts to fans, booking smaller venues was easier. There was no need to consider the size of the audience.
Today, however, you must pay attention to both the venue’s audience capacity and livestream capabilities. Collaborate with your partner rigging company to accomplish a live setup that enables online and offline viewing.
Have Appropriate Safety Measures Online and Offline
Because of COVID-19, there are more concerns now about air ventilation and sanitation. At the same time, because of the earlier limitations caused by COVID-19, people are more eager to go out and pay for experiences—concerts included.
Devise a plan that puts the safety of artists, concertgoers, and onsite staff first. Easy access to hand sanitizers and disinfection stations, social distancing measures in queueing areas, and clear instruction signages are a given. But you also need to find ways to reduce touchpoints and maintain the cleanliness of the venue as much as possible.
Check with your venue to have adequate ventilation systems in place to accommodate the attendees. You can also add extra measures, such as showing proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test before being granted entry into the venue.
Also, adopt a digital ticketing system that prevents congestion in queues. This system also eliminates contact between staff and attendees, making it safer for everyone.
Online safety is also important.
If you are livestreaming your event only to authorized online viewers, protect your stream from malicious people who may try to disrupt the event or pirate its contents.
Set rules for participants, such as making sure their account names for your chosen platform are the same as the names they submitted before the concert. Screen every person who requests entry to the livestream and give reminders for proper conduct before the show starts.
Market the Concert Sensitively
Holding concerts in the time of COVID-19 will be met with some hesitation and questioning from consumers. People will have questions about how you will respond to safety concerns today and mitigate the possible spread of the virus during the concert.
The best way to approach this is to let the public know about the stringent measures your team is taking to make the event as safe as possible for every person who will be present. For instance, if the artist’s team will be in a bubble throughout the tour, ask fans to respect this by keeping a safe distance during meet and greets or after the concert.
Clearly state the terms of entry for concerts. One example of this is Harry Styles’s “Love On” tour, in which the artist’s team announced that all attendees were to show proof of full vaccination, a negative COVID-19 test within 48 hours of the concert. Guests were also required to wear masks, with Styles’ team emphasizing that precautions were for everyone’s protection.
In promoting your event, prioritize the human aspect. Allow them to step into your shoes and understand why strict precautions are necessary. This way, they can empathize with your efforts and comply with rules to safely enjoy the show.
