Here’s why Warped Tour’s Kevin Lyman says gigs could be delayed longer
Over the past few weeks, some states have begun phasing out of coronavirus lockdown. As these restrictions continue to be lifted, establishments are reopening and concerts are resuming. This past weekend, Smash Mouth and Trapt performed to crowded and unmasked audiences in South Dakota. Now, Warped Tour founder Kevin Lyman is sharing his thoughts on these recent shows as well as others amid the pandemic.
Lyman says that these concerts greatly impact the live events industry and could lead to shows being delayed even further.
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Over the weekend, Smash Mouth and Trapt performed at South Dakota’s Sturgis Buffalo Chip Rally. An estimated 250,000 turned up for the festival and hundreds watched Smash Mouth and Trapt perform. Videos from the performances quickly surfaced online and revealed that the crowds did not social distance or wear masks.
Although Buffalo Chip organizers encouraged attendees to follow CDC guidelines, they did not enforce social distancing. As well, they required everyone to have masks on them but did not require them to be worn at all times.
Now, Lyman is explaining the repercussions of these types of concerts amid the pandemic. The Warped Tour founder says these shows greatly impact those in the industry who want to bring back live music the right, and safe, way.
“This is one more reason we will not see shows in the near future, or any future if it keeps happening,” Lyman tweets. “Sets the whole business back every time it does. Every time this happens it messes it up for those who want to do it right.”
This is one more reason we will not see shows in the near future, or any future if it keeps happening. Sets the whole business back every time it does. Every time this happens it messes it up for those who want to do it right. https://t.co/jxOKT1YDPG
— KevinLyman (@KevinLyman) August 10, 2020
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Lyman’s tweet follows Live Nation‘s recent predictions on when live events will widely return in the United States. The company anticipates festivals and concerts will resume in the summer of 2021. However, as coronavirus cases continue to rise in the country, these predictions could change.
The live music industry is facing massive losses amid the pandemic. Live Nation recently announced its second-quarter revenue has dropped 98 percent. As well, various festivals and concerts have been postponed this year. More recently, Aftershock Festival, Four Chord Music Festival, Reading and Leeds and Glastonbury announced its 2020 events are canceled.
Not only do these cancelations impact musicians, but they also severely impacts employees within the industry. Several artists including My Chemical Romance are taking out government loans to help out their tour crews who are without work during this time. As well, both Ticketmaster and Live Nation laid off thousands of employees earlier this year.
Do you agree with Kevin Lyman’s comments? Let us know in the comments below.
