Band Tours Postponed
By: Thomas Davila
Many people were looking forward to seeing their favorite music artists or band in concert this year, but unfortunately the wait is longer than expected. Bands like Green Day, Pearl Jam and the Foo Fighters were all slated to go on their respective tours this year. Thanks to the noble coronavirus those plans were spoiled, and with the cancellation of Coachella that was scheduled to take place in April 2021, next year is already looking like it could be a no-go for concert goers.
Green Day was scheduled to hit the road in the U.S. starting on July 14, 2020 in Seattle, Wash. at T-Mobile Park. While Pearl Jam was scheduled to kick off their U.S. tour starting on March 26, 2020 in New York City, N.Y.. Lastly, the Foo Fighters tour was scheduled to kick off on Oct. 5, 2020 in Detroit, Mich.
All three of these tours have been rescheduled for the fall of 2021.
Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder has already set a date of Sept. 25, 2021 for his annual festival Ohana Fest he puts on at Doheny State Beach in Dana Point, Calif. In addition to that, Pearl Jam has announced dates for their overseas tour next year. With the cancellation of next years Coachella, will the tours that scheduled for next year even take place?
An article in USA Today titled “Masks, temperature checks, empty rows,” suggests that people will have to wear a mask, conduct temperature checks before entering the venue and have every other row empty for social distancing measures at concerts. It is rumored that concerts could come back once again in the fall of 2021, but that has not been confirmed or denied.
Concerts by music artists that have choreography would have to wait due to their routine involving a lot of people on stage. The same goes for the bands that planned to tour in 2020; they have multiple people on stage singing or playing their instruments.
If concerts came back today what would they be like? According to Adam Lewis, a former Bostonian who directs the Planetary Group, a publicity and concert promoting company in Los Angeles:
"If we are able to come back, distancing will be key. I believe venue capacities are going to be reduced to 25 to 50%."
Things are drastically changing across the globe as we know it. Music has been greatly impacted by COVID-19. One thing is certain though: people love music, especially when it is live because they can feel the message being sent.