Scotland's biggest live music promoter claims it is “virtually certain” that festivals will be in full flow by the end of the summer.
But Geoff Ellis claims the Scottish Government can play a big part in stopping major events fall off the calendar by naming the indicative dates when we can expect social distancing to be a thing of the past.
Ellis’s DF Concerts has just moved its flagship TRNSMT festival in Glasgow from July to September to give breathing space to allow artists, roadies, litter pickers and the full array of workers on site to make things happen.
Ticket sales for TRNSMT, with the Chemical Brothers joining Liam Gallagher and other big names, boomed after the dates were shifted.
But many English festivals sold out within hours in February after Boris Johnson issued his “lockdown easing roadmap” that stipulated June 21 as the day live music returns at full volume and without social distancing.
Ellis said: “Moving TRNSMT September has given us the full confidence that everyone needs to be virtually certain it will take place, barring some unforeseen disaster.
“Boris Johnson laying down June 21 as a nominal date to get back to gigs without social distancing was hugely helpful. Nicola Sturgeon has not committed. to that yet but there have been suggestions that there won’t be more than a couple of weeks difference.
“But it would be good to get it out there and formalised so we know where we are and everyone can start laying down concrete plans that they have the highest level of confidence in."
He added: ”There is a lot to be happy about right now and the industry will hopefully start to breathe a sigh of relief.
“I would just like more clarity on where we are heading and what numbers we need to see, in public health terms, to make all these big steps back to normal times.
“The furlough has been a lifesaver for a lot of firms but it hasn’t been available to everyone and I think that smaller companies, in particular, could be doing with some of the detail in the Scottish Government’s thinking to be published to help them get through this crisis and still be trading next year.”
Some Scottish fans fear that, without the rubber stamp from the Scottish Government, gigs could continue to be pushed back or cancelled.
DF’s August gigs under the Summer Sessions banner at Edinburgh’s Princes Street Gardens still have tickets up for grabs.
But it is thought demand for the likes of Anne Marie, Simple Minds and Travis would explode if the Scottish Government makes the right noises about lockdown ending.
Ellis and other big promoters have been forced to accept that US based and other big acts won’t be able to come until all of Europe is open for business, meaning many more events are going to be put off to next year.
But he said that the massive strides in quickfire covid testing and the huge success of the vaccination programme in the UK has shut down areas of concern that could lead to last ditch cancellations.
TRNSMT’s July dates were ditched to give breathing space for the entire operation, including giving confidence to fans buying tickets.
Saturday headliner Liam Gallagher said: “Brothers and Sisters, can’t wait to get up to Glasgow TRNSMT and blow your minds. It’s been far too long. C’mon you know LG x”
The Chemical Brothers replace headliner Lewis Capaldi and other amendments may be announced going forward.
Organisers of the Belladrum Tartan Heart music festival confirmed the July event has been cancelled for a second year, bowing out until 2022 because the logistical issues could not be overcome in that timeframe.
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “The Scottish Government is working with the sector, including through the Events Industry Advisory Group, to develop a safe route back for all events.
“This work is ongoing and guidance will be updated as further details are confirmed.”
