Think tank to help restore live music safely established in Yorkshire

The live events sector is widely predicted to be one of the last areas of business to return to normal owing to mass gatherings being banned in order to mitigate the spread of Covid-19.

Virtually all live music events have been cancelled or postponed and earlier this month the Association of Independent Festivals (AIF), which represents 65 festivals in the UK including Sheffield’s Tramlines, said that 92 per cent of its members were having to confront costs that would make their businesses not viable.

Now, a new initiative launched in Yorkshire by Backstage Academy, is calling on the live events industry to build a consortium of stakeholders to assist its recovery.

The Backstage Innovation Centre is creating the think tank to investigate innovative and practical approaches to tackling and mitigating the risk of large group gatherings in venues, ahead of the easing of lockdown restrictions.

Central to the think tank’s challenge will be a proactive approach to address potential risks of contagion for crowds in live venues. Following the easing of lockdown, a venue’s primary risks will be controlling and distancing crowds, in addition to the management of the air, surfaces and contact conditions within the building.

The project’s call for interest will be open until Friday, June 12 after which the centre will convene the first project team meeting and set the project timetable in place, which is anticipated to span three months.

Rachel Nicholson, head of Backstage Academy, based in Wakefield, said: “The Backstage Innovation Centre exists to explore and solve contemporary issues within the live events sector and our most pressing challenge currently is working out how we can create ‘Covid-secure’ venues to enable the industry to get back to work and continue providing audiences with world leading entertainment.

“We’re looking for the sector’s businesses to get in touch and make full use of our R&D facilities, which include prototyping build spaces, market access, as well as project management and consultant services.

“Ultimately, we want to bring to life and implement these innovations to ensure the protection and long-term recovery of the industry.”

The project is looking for SMEs with the capabilities in the areas of fluid dynamics, M&E design, air handling system manufacturers, control system experts, crowd management and crowd modelling, as well as certification, assessment and analysis.

In addition, the centre is bringing forward work on its £7m research and innovation campus. Originally scheduled to launch in 2021, the academy has brought forward its first research project to help safeguard the industry.

Lee Brooks, CEO Production Park & Member of the Creative Industries Council, said creating “Covid-secure” venues is a national concern.

“Some might underestimate its importance, but the live events industry is estimated to be worth over £30bn per year to our economy, and will undoubtedly play a key part in returning some normality to our lives once restrictions are lifted.

“However, at present, the industry faces a fundamental threat to its existence, in the form of Covid-19, with the associated measures expected to impact live activities long after the lockdown restrictions are eased.

“We need to assure the public it’s safe to enjoy the unique social experience of live events again and that the sector is confident enough to open up and attract sufficient audience sizes.”