SEPTEMBER | BIGGER PICTURE
Back to live
What: Virgin Money Unity Arena
Where: Newcastle
When: 11 August to 20 September
Photo: Thomas Jackson @ TyneSight Photographic
Services
The 2,500-capacity Virgin Money Unity Arena at
Newcastle’s Gosforth Park racecourse became the UK’s
first purpose-built outdoor venue to accommodate social
distancing.
The reaction from fans has been very positive, according
to SSD Concerts MD Steve Davis, who says the event is
on track to sell 50,000 tickets across 35 shows during the
six-week period the venue is open.
Consisting of 500 viewing platforms, situated two
metres apart, each able to accommodate up to five
people, the venue has hosted shows by an array of artists
including two by Sam Fender (pictured), Two Door
Cinema Club, The Bootleg Beatles & Bjorn Again, and
Supergrass.
The concept was created by SSD Concerts, in
partnership with sponsors Virgin Money. It was set up
by Manchester-based event production company Engine
No.4, with ES Global providing staging and Showsec
handling security.
In order to adhere to Government guidelines, numerous
measures have been taken at the site, including the need
for all users of each platform to arrive in the same car,
one-way systems, toilets cleaned after every use, and PPEclad
staff delivering drinks to each platform.
“Artists have been really surprised by the atmosphere,
it isn’t as different as they expected,” says Davis. “We
have also had great feedback from fans – some audience
members actually like it more than a usual gig set up
because there are no queues at toilets or the bar and they
are not getting pushed around in the crowd.”
08