Live Nation Testing Socially Distanced Concerts In New Zealand

The two shows, titled “Together Again” and backed by Vodafone, stage at the 400-capacity Auckland music venue The Tuning Fork. Attendance will be capped at 100.

The first, on Friday May 29, will feature comedian Urzila Carlson alongside music performers Ray O’Leary, Nick Rado (MC) and Ruby Esther.

The second, on May 30, features soul singer songwriter Hollie Smith.

These will be LN’s concerts anywhere in the world since mid-March.

LN New Zealand chairman Stuart Clumpas said: “Live Nation NZ is excited to be welcoming back live events in New Zealand. The Together Again series is an opportunity for us to unite and celebrate the power of live with some of the country’s first socially distanced shows.

 

 “Our staff have been working extremely hard to get the doors open again and we aim to deliver not only a great live experience but also one that adheres to all the extra health and safety precautions and measures that line up with the government advice for events at level two.”

Alert level two, introduced May 13, allows restaurants, cafes, bars and pubs to serve up to 10 seated customers; the opening of businesses, colleges and schools; and the resumption of domestic travel.

Security precautions taken by LN and Tuning Fork include temperature screening and contact tracing on entry.

Staff will wear 100-person capacity, staff wearing essential Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as masks and gloves. 

There will be physical distancing of patrons, cleaning procedures and contactless technologies.

To ensure no queuing at the bar, drinks and snacks will only be available via table service, with orders made from seats via a mobile phone or other handheld device.

New Zealand, which has a population of 4.89 million, has had 21 deaths and 1,500 COVID-19 cases so far.