Page 10 - BiTS_05_MAY_2023

MUSIC VENUE TRUST LAUNCHES #TAKEATEST INITIATIVE

Live Music Fans Urged to Self-Test Before Attending Gigs

London, 19th July 2021 - Music Venue Trust (MVT), which represents hundreds of grassroots music venues, has
announced a new campaign to encourage live music fans to take a voluntary lateral flow test ahead of attending
gigs.

The #takeatest initiative follows the UK government’s lifting of most COVID-19 restrictions from today (July 19th),
allowing music venues to fully re-open for the first time in over 16 months and is a response to the move towards
‘personal responsibility’ as the principal guidance moves forward.

Music Venue Trust, in consultation with grassroots music venues around the country are launching a social media
led campaign urging music fans to accept responsibility to keep themselves, their fellow gig-goers and the staff at
music venues safe, as restrictions are lifted.

Using the hashtag #takeatest the messaging will be very clear:

Be Kind: Be respectful. Be part of the live music community #takeatest

or

Artists are taking a test to protect you. Staff are taking a test to protect you. Be part of the live music community:
#takeatest before you attend a show

Music venues, artists and fans themselves will be asked to promote the initiative on their own social media platforms
before they host, perform at or attend an event.

Mark Davyd, CEO of Music Venue Trust said, “We have spoken at length to our community about reopening venues
safely as restrictions are lifted, and while there are differing opinions on some aspects of how we will achieve this
there is a consensus about asking music fans to accept personal responsibility to keep themselves and others safe.
We have an opportunity through this strong, unified #takeatest messaging across the live music sector to persuade
audiences to accept that responsibility and to take a lateral flow test before attending. This is a voluntary initiative
that speaks to the sense of community across the grassroots live music sector. We are confident that live music fans
will respond positively to this direct appeal from venues, promoters, artists and their fellow gig-goers.”

People are asked to begin using the #takeatest hashtag on their social media platforms from 11am on Monday July 19th.