The UK has opened its first outdoor picnic area dedicated to music with social distancing.
Located in Newcastle on Gosforth Park, Virgin Money Unity can accommodate 2.500 spectators on 500 social remote viewing platforms for post Covid concerts.
A new world in search of more air and more space
Slowly and patchily, people around the world are gradually abandoning the lockdown, preparing for a new reality at a social distance.
The area Virgin Money Unity it is just that: a place that redefines the idea of an outdoor concert. For its first opening, the arena presented two shows, both sold out, in front of 2.500 people.
The platforms are spaced two meters apart, and each of them can accommodate a maximum of five people.
"I think it's great that our region is leading the way," the singer tells the BBC Sam fender, the first to perform with this formula.
Post Covid Concerts: The Trend.
The example of the Virgin Money Unity Area leads me to reflect a little on the general trend of post Covid concerts, albeit only outdoors.
As for a sort of compensatory mechanism, the social distance imposed by the coronavirus we try to make up for it by giving the spectators the comfort of space and presence.
First of all, safety and accessibility at the highest levels: the area is fully accessible and has security personnel with training for the disabled. Once inside you cannot go out, not even to return to your car.
Both food and drinks are available and there is no need to bring chairs as the platforms have them.
In other words, the fun goes from the nuclearization of the lockdown to the small, safe "social bubbles" of a few individuals. Close friends, relatives, mini groups.
More time is needed for the ocean crowds. And by then a whole generation of people will have matured who would prefer to enjoy music like this: in 5-inch enclosures. With a little courage and imagination, however, they can be considered for what they are: comfortable boxes.
