When will gigs start again in the UK?

Lockdown measures are set to ease over the next few months

Of all of the things that the pandemic has taken away over the past year, live music is one of the most sorely missed.

With the UK live music industry hampered by the effects of lockdown and the constraints of government-mandated social distancing requirements, the previous year has seen the majority of gigs either postponed or cancelled entirely.

However, as the restrictions surrounding our third national lockdown begin to gradually ease, it is expected that live music events will soon be allowed to take place.

When exactly gigs will be permitted to take place will depend on factors including venue size, and whether the gig is indoors or outdoors.

You can find a list of all the music festivals which have announced plans to go ahead here. 

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Or you can click here for a list of all the major rescheduled tours set to take place in 2021 and 2022, including runs by The Weeknd and Louis Tomlinson.

Here’s a breakdown of when gigs will start up again in the UK, in accordance with the government’s four-step roadmap out of lockdown…

17 May (At the earliest)

The government has announced that “Step 3” of the Covid response roadmap will come into effect on 17 May at the earliest.

This step will allow indoor hospitality to reopen without a curfew. Indoor entertainment venues will also be reopened.

According to the official government website: “The government will also allow some larger performances and sporting events in indoor venues with a capacity of 1,000 people or half-full (whichever is a lower number), and in outdoor venues with a capacity of 4,000 people or half-full (whichever is a lower number).” 

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In the largest outdoor seated venues, “where crowds can be spread out”, events can be attended by up to 10,000 people (or up to a quarter of the venue’s capacity, whichever is lower)”.

21 June (At the earliest)

The government has said that it currently plans to implement “Step 4” no earlier than 21 June.

Step 4 will remove all legal limits on social contact, meaning that any and all gigs, indoor or outdoor, will be permitted to take place.

All lockdown easing measures are subject to revaluation and change, based on the latest medical data.