Not just movies: Drive-in concerts, drag shows planned with social distancing in mind
Drive-ins aren’t just for watching movies.
Concerts and drag shows have been restructured to allow fans to experience live performances — from their cars.
Instead of headlining packed arenas, some artists are performing in parking lots full of cars. Video screens and sound systems are set up to give concertgoers a taste of what’s happening on stage, according to concert news releases.
The adjustments come as several states continue to limit crowds to help stop the spread of COVID-19. Health officials recommend people wear face coverings in public and practice social distancing, which involves staying at least six feet from others.
What are performers doing?
Coronavirus hasn’t stopped some big-name artists from getting back to performing live sets.
Live Nation on Monday announced “Live from the Drive-In,” the company’s first-of-its-kind tailgate and concert series in the United States.
Country singer Brad Paisley and rapper Nelly are among those performing in St. Louis in July, the lineup shows. The concert series will also make its way to Indianapolis and Nashville, according to a Twitter post from Live Nation.
“Each event will comply with all health and safety standards per local jurisdictions and state regulations in order to protect fans, artists, crews and staff,” the company said in a news release. “This includes thorough sanitation throughout the event and hand-sanitizing stations will be available, along with a number of other preventive measures.”
In New Orleans, fans attending a separate drive-in concert series will be required to wear face masks if they aren’t in a designated tailgating zone, according to Live Nation.
Social distancing will be encouraged at July’s “Drive ‘N Drag,” a three-day show with winners of “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” the Los Angles Daily News reported.
The event in downtown Los Angeles is set to feature “concert style staging and lighting, large video screens and sound pumped from the stage and through the vehicles via FM transmitters,” the newspaper reported. A similar event is scheduled to take place in New Jersey, according to the Voss Events website.
Cornavirus-era entertainment is on a bigger scale for artists such as Garth Brooks, who has scheduled events at 300 drive-in theaters on the same night. The country star’s show will follow health guidelines and be broadcast across North America, Rolling Stone reported.
How are people reacting?
Some artists have already taken the leap into drive-in performances, with mixed reactions.
“All in all, in the time we’re living in, it’s probably the best thing we can do to have live music still,” concertgoer Kacie Miller told The Washington Post. “It’s better than watching something on a computer — or not at all.”
Though a USA Today piece applauded efforts to provide safe entertainment during the pandemic, it said the new format loses some aspects of a traditional concert.
“Anyone who loves live music knows it’s a close, communal experience that can’t be replicated in the perimeters of a parking space six feet apart from your neighbor,” USA Today reported. “It’s about the shared recognition of your favorite song, and all the petty things we rolled our eyes at but long for in retrospect: the smartphones waving in your face; the insurmountable lines for the bathroom; the overpriced drinks you try not to spill as you elbow your way toward the stage.”
It has been an adjustment for artists, who aren’t accustomed to engaging with fans inside cars, according to The Washington Post.
“I’ve never been more grateful to be honked at,” Jon Jones of the Eli Young Band told the newspaper.
This story was originally published June 24, 2020 at 8:04 AM with the headline "Not just movies: Drive-in concerts, drag shows planned with social distancing in mind."
