Page 14 - Shapemag Issue 3

SHAPEMAG The Big Question

THE BIG QUESTION

LOCKDOWN TO EASE BUT WHAT ABOUT OUR

GIG SCENE? SHAPEMAG INVESTIGATES.

So we now know that from the 4th July, Pubs, entertainment community to put pressure on
Cafe’s and Restaurants will once again be the government for answers.
allowed to open their doors to the public,
albeit with many precautions in place set out So what about our local Live Music Scene? At
in the government guidelines issued last week the moment, our bands, performers, soloists,
to venues. duets, DJ’s etc are getting desperate to get back
to their local stages with the fees they charge
As expected, one of the restrictions is that, for sometimes being their only source of income.
the time being, there will be no live entertain- This puts a date for the implementation of
ment. But last Thursday, Culture Secretary the ‘Roadmap’ as urgent. Don’t get me wrong
Oliver Dowden published the five-stage here, nobody wants to rush into a hazardous
‘Roadmap’ for a phased return, which will situation and possibly be responsible for a
initially let performances take place outdoors, re-introduction of the virus, but planning is
with indoors performances to follow later. essential. Our artists need to know when they
can expect to be back to work and when to
Stage One - Rehearsal and training (no start preparing for it.
audiences and adhering to social distancing
guidelines). There is another question running around my
Stage Two - Performances for broadcast mind, not only should we consider when our
and recording purposes (adhering to social artists can return to the venues, but also when
distancing guidelines). will the venues be ready to have the artists
Stage Three - Performances outdoors with back? The lockdown has effected our hospital-
an audience plus pilots for indoor perfor- ity badly with there being virtually no business
mances with a limited distance audience. for over three months. That sector also has to
Stage Four - Performances allowed indoors/ recover. I feel many changes may be on the
outdoors (but with a limited distanced audi- horizon but, hopefully, we can all work togeth-
ence indoors). er to get our gigs back as soon as possible.
Stage Five - Performances allowed indoors/
outdoors (with a fuller audience indoors). As the initial date is publicly released, Shape-
Mag will keep Hartlepool artists and venues
The problem we have with the ‘Roadmap’ is informed. However, in the meantime, do post
that there have been no dates published as your comments here or email us at shape-
to when it will be implemented causing the maghartlepool@gmail.com.
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