Rockhal Luxembourg To Host Test Concerts

The events, which run under the banner “Because Music Matters,” will be limited to 100 people per night, “with strict physical distancing enforced,” according to the announcement.

What is more, masks will be compulsory, attendees will be tested for Covid-19 prior to the event and again seven days later “to allow close monitoring by local health bodies.”

The experiment’s results, at least the ones gained on the first day, will inform a virtual conference hosted by the Arena Resilience Alliance (ARA) on Feb. 18.

The ARA was formed by Olivier Toth, CEO of Rockhal, and Robert Fitzpatrick, CEO of The Odyssey Trust in Northern Ireland, owners of The SSE Arena, Belfast), with the backing of the European Arenas Association (EAA).

Both recognized an urgent need for arenas to unite and to raise awareness of the difficulties they’re currently facing.

ARA’s virtual conference will explore “how arenas and large capacity venues across Europe are preparing for a safe and sustainable reopening,” according to the announcement.

The event will also establish the kind of support the live events sector needs from policymakers on both a national and EU level to enable long-term resilience and future growth. 

“The discussion will bring together high-level speakers representing EU institutions, national governments as well as the sports and live music sectors,” according to the announcement.

Olivier Toth, Rockhal CEO and ARA co-founder, commented: “Our Because Music Matters showcase at Rockhal is an important step forward in testing the safety measures we can employ to support our back to business strategies. I look forward to sharing our experience and insights from these events.”

 

Robert Fitzpatrick, CEO of The Odyssey Trust and co-founder of the ARA, added: “The ARA is proud to provide an opportunity for the industry to come together with key EU decision-makers to prepare for a return to live events, whilst working to protect the health and wellbeing of our communities and the sustainability of our industry, which will be central to the economic and societal recovery of countries across Europe. Together, we can build regional and national frameworks, with international collaboration that will help us get back to business.”

The Feb. 18 virtual conference will be streamed live via the EAA You Tube Channel and Facebook page.