Van Morrison urges musicians to fight ‘pseudo-science’ of socially distanced gigs: ‘This is not the answer going forward’

Musician wrote that socially distanced concerts were ‘not economically viable’

Van Morrison called on his fellow musicians to “stand up and fight” against the “pseudo-science” of socially distanced concerts.

The “Moondance” singer is due to headline a number of live events at Newcastle Racecourse and Electric Ballroom in Camden in September, with social distancing being enforced due to the coronavirus pandemic.

However, in a post shared on his website titled “Save Live Music”, Morrison, 74, criticised the concept.

“As you know, we are doing socially distanced gigs,” the Northern Irish singer wrote. “This is not a sign of compliance or acceptance of the current state of affairs, this is to get my band up and running and out of the doldrums.

Calling on his fellow musicians to “come forward, stand up, fight the pseudo-science and speak up”, he continued: “This is also not the answer going forward. We need to be playing to full capacity audiences going forward.”

Van Morrison said socially distanced gigs were 'not economically viable' (Getty)

Morrison then praised Andrew Lloyd Webber, who has been vocal on his criticism of socially distanced performances in both the music and theatre industries.

“Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber and myself appear to be the only people in the music business trying to get it back up and running again,” Morrison wrote. “It’s not economically viable to do socially distanced gigs. Come forward now, the future is now.”

The UK’s first socially distanced concerts began earlier this month, with ticket holders watching the outdoor show from separate raised metal platforms.