Live concerts impossible to plan under new Tier system says ABO chief

With around 99% of the population of England placed in Tiers 2 and 3 following the end of lockdown on 2 December, the hope of any significant return to live concerts in the run up to Christmas is fading. Under the new restrictions, only Cornwall and the Scilly Isles, and the Isle of Wight will remain in Tier 1. Major cities with large performing ensembles, including Birmingham Manchester, Leeds and Bristol will be in Tier 3 meaning that all live events are banned. London and Liverpool are in Tier 2, where restrictions will apply. Performance venues must remain shut in Tier 3, while in Tier 2, socially distanced audiences of 50% capacity or 1,000 people (which ever is less) are allowed.

The Tiers will be reviewed every two weeks, with the first review due on 16 December.

Mark Pemberton, director of the Association of British Orchestras, said: 'While the ABO welcomes the end of the second national lockdown in England, it is becoming clear that we will be entering a period of stricter controls on concert halls than existed before the lockdown.

'Of primary concern is that venues in Tier 3 areas will now be required to close, which was not the case before. And while venues in Tier 2 will be allowed to reopen, the government’s review of tiers every two weeks means there is a constant risk of an area being moved into Tier 3. This makes it impossible for our members to plan with certainty, and with confidence put tickets on sale, if they find the concert halls have to close again at short notice.'

Meanwhile, the Musicians Union has expressed its 'dismay' at the latest government post-lockdown plan. Horace Trubridge, MU General Secretary, said: 'Our members have had little or no work since March and many have failed to qualify for the government’s support schemes. Having endured months of financial misery, musicians are desperate to get back to work. The announcements around live events and the new tier system make that prospect even more distant, and the lack of consistency and common sense is glaring. These new tier system restrictions need a radical rethink if the live sector is going to see any recovery in the short to medium term.”

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