Are gigs cancelled? What the new tier system means for live music

The lifting of lockdown on December 2 will come as a relief to England’s beleaguered citizens and battered economy.

But with a new, tougher tier system due to replace national lockdown, many in the arts sector will be not breathing a sigh of relief just yet.

In much of the UK, smaller music venues will remain unable to open. The boozy, convivial atmosphere of gigs, bodies hemmed in, joyously close, will have to stay a memory until spring at least, when vaccines are expected to become widely available. Of course, that will be too late for some. These intimate venues, the heartbeat of the UK's live music scene, have endured too much, for too long.

But even larger, more decorous establishments may struggle under the new rules. A trip to the opera or a concert, followed by a slap-up meal, is a Christmas treat for many. And one that many might have to forgo this year.

But where will you be able to go, and who with?

Tier 1

The ‘rule of six’ is still in force across all tiers. This means that you will only be able to meet up to five others in any indoor or outdoor setting. Cinemas, theatres and concert halls must also close at 11pm. But, crucially, performances which start before 10pm will be allowed to conclude. A midnight stroll through the West End will certainly be a quieter experience this year.

There are capacity limits for all indoor and outdoor events, too. Venues will only be able to open with 50 per cent capacity or 1,000 people indoors - whichever is lower. These numbers will not concern smaller venues; far more of a worry will be the restrictions on the sale of alcohol which kick in at higher tiers. Masks must be worn.

Music lovers are encouraged not to travel between tiers, except for purposes of work, education, caring responsibilities or medical treatment. If you live in a higher-tier area, then tough luck: you won’t be able to travel to a lower-tier one to catch a gig or concert. A kerbside carol service might be the best you can do.

Tier 2 

The same restrictions as tier 1 apply - with some additions. ‘Rule of six’ is in place. But you will not be able to socialise with anyone you don’t live with or are in a support bubble with, in any indoor setting. So date nights are still on. Nights out with friends aren’t.

Businesses which sell food and alcoholic drink for consumption on their premises will have to switch to takeaway, unless they do table service. In effect, this means that most smaller music venues, unless they serve ‘substantial meals’, will not be able to sell booze.

This will be a heavy blow. While ticket sales are an important revenue stream for venue owners, selling alcohol is a vital way of pay performers, staff and property upkeep. Without it, an already bleak financial landscape looks more wind-swept. The Music Venues Trust has urged the Government to reconsider: “It is not possible to deliver an economically viable event in this sector without the financial support provided by alcohol sales. 92 per cent of Grassroots Music Venues do not have the necessary facilities to provide substantial food.”

Tier 3 

The highest tier of restrictions in England. It is reserved for areas with very high, or rapidly rising areas of infection. The example of Liverpool, which moved from tier three to tier two, provides some hope that areas might be able to shrug off the most draconian policies if their infection rates start to fall.

In this tier, all indoor entertainment venues must close. Cinemas, theatres and concert halls will go dark. There is a slim chance for opera lovers, though: while large outdoor performances are banned, drive-ins are the exception. Whether the English National Opera revives its successful Drive & Live season remains to be seen.

You are also discouraged from staying ‘unnecessary’ trips outside of your tier area, including overnight trips. In addition, as with tier two, you bring your tier restrictions with you. So illicit breaching of county lines to get your music fix is a no-no.

The Christmas break period, between 23 and 27 December, when three households will be able to form a ‘Christmas’ bubble, is no exception to these rules. You'll have to stay within your household bubble when watching live music.