Test case for the live events industry
Top names from the worlds of live music and sport will come together with key EU decision-makers next month to discuss the safe return of live events. The Arena Resilience Alliance (ARA) will host its second virtual conference, #AGameofTwoHalves: The Return Leg on Thursday 18 February, following an ambitious live music experiment in Luxembourg.
A series of five intimate test concerts will be hosted by the Rockhal arena in their club venue in Luxembourg over five nights between 10-14 February. It is hoped the series of ‘Because Music Matters’ concerts, hosted in conjunction with the national health inspection authority, will act as an important test case for the live events industry. The events will be limited to 100 people per night, with strict physical distancing enforced. Masks will be compulsory, and attendees will be tested for Covid-19 prior to the event and again seven days later to allow close monitoring by local health bodies.
Following the shows, the ARA, an advocacy initiative established by the European Arenas Association (EAA), will host a virtual conference, exploring how arenas and large capacity venues across Europe are preparing for a safe and sustainable reopening. The event will also explore what support the live events sector needs from policymakers on both a national and EU level to enable long-term resilience and future growth. The discussion will bring together high-level speakers representing EU institutions, national governments as well as the sports and live music sectors.
The free online event, which will take place on Thursday 18 February, will build on the success of the ARA’s first virtual conference in December 2020, which is available to watch online here. Behind the scenes content and insights from The Rockhal test concerts will be screened as part of the conference, offering an opportunity to reflect on the lessons learned and next steps and helping to frame the discussion around what still needs to be done.
The ARA’s #AGameofTwoHalves: The Return Leg virtual conference will be delivered in partnership with the European Arenas Association and IQ Magazine.