Advertisement

Martin 'confident' of reopening solution for musicians and venues in next 24 hours

Promoters say many gigs will have to be cancelled if indoor concerts have to be fully seated.
Newstalk
Newstalk

17.18 20 Oct 2021


Share this article


Martin 'confident' of reopenin...

Martin 'confident' of reopening solution for musicians and venues in next 24 hours

Newstalk
Newstalk

17.18 20 Oct 2021


Share this article


The Arts Minister says she's confident there'll be a solution on reopening the nightclub and live events sector in the next 24 hours.

Talks between government officials and industry representatives are ongoing to address confusion over the regulations.

In just 48 hours, many nightclubs and venues will be able to open their doors for the first time in 18 months.

Advertisement

However, there's still confusion over exactly what's expected of them.

The regulations allow packed dancefloors in nightclubs, but indoor gigs will have to be fully seated.

Christy Leech, who goes by Le Boom, is due to play two sold-out gigs in Cork and Dublin this weekend.

He said: "In our case, that wouldn't work at all - our gigs are sold to full standing capacity. You couldn't seat them.

"You'd have to reduce the capacity, but that wouldn't work because the gig is sold out - we couldn't choose who comes and who doesn't come."

Promoters have also suggested many gigs will have to be cancelled if indoor concerts have to be fully seated.

The Taoiseach has acknowledged there will be 'anomalies' following yesterday's reopening announcements.

Arts and Culture Minister Catherine Martin hopes the issues can be sorted out soon.

She said: "My message to promoters, venues and musicians: bear with us for another 24 hours.

"I am confident we will have a solution."

There'll be no capacity limits for nightclubs, and antigen tests won't be required.

But it's still unclear what the mask requirements will be, and whether people will be able to go to the bar to get a drink.

Reporting by Stephen Murphy and Stephen McNeice
Main image: Catherine Martin. Photograph: Sasko Lazarov / Photocall Ireland

Share this article


Read more about

Catherine Martin Reopening

Most Popular