Dance music duo Gorgon City have hit out at Prime Minister Boris Johnson for changing his mind about the final end of lockdown at the last minute.
The band – which consists of 34-year-old Kye Gibbon and Matt Robson-Scott – were, like many, thrilled at the prospect of returning to nightclubs this month, only for the Prime Minister to reverse course on his plans.
It was originally expected that the final step on the roadmap out of lockdown would have come into force on June 21 – which would have seen a full return to the hospitality sector, including nightclubs, and a green light for events including concerts and full scale festivals.
But, with cases of the Delta Variant of the Covid-19 virus rising in the UK, the government decided to push back the final step to at least June 19 – even through hospitalisations and deaths have not increased in line with Delta Variant infection rates.
Now the Gorgon City lads are hitting out as it has meant a delay to their music release plans and their own return to the stage.
Speaking to The Sun, Kye said: “One of the big problems for the entertainment and nightlife industry is Boris waiting until the last minute to suddenly go back on his word.
“Clubs and festivals had already invested money in events and reopening, expecting June 21 to happen, and it’s disrespectful for him to turn it around at the last minute.”
The boys do, at least, admit that they have had time in lockdown to record and perfect their latest album, Olympia, which was unleashed on Friday.
Matt said: “It’s mad to think we were touring a lot, going to shows and writing stuff on the road and together in America and London and suddenly we went into lockdown. Kye was in Chicago, I was in London and we managed to finish it pretty quickly.
“We just can’t wait to get back out there and tour the album.”
Reports have suggested Prime Minister Boris Johnson won’t delay lockdown further after research shows the Delta Variant could be being kept at bay in the UK thanks to the successful vaccination roll out.
While pilot schemes have been operating within the UK for the past couple of months to test a return to crowded events, such as nightclubs and festivals, with attendees at test events submitting themselves to various Covid tests to see if and how such events transmit infections.
One such event was a club launch in Liverpool at the end of April, and the BRIT Awards held in London in May.
