Van Morrison Urges Artists To Revolt Against Restrictions - Noise11.com
Van Morrison photo by Ros O'Gorman

Van Morrison photo by Ros O'Gorman

Van Morrison Urges Artists To Revolt Against Restrictions

by Music-News.com on August 26, 2020

in News

Van Morrison has called on fellow musicians and industry folk to “speak up” to get full-capacity gigs back up and running again.

Morrison is playing reduced capacity shows at Camden’s Electric Ballroom and The London Palladium in September, as well as The Virgin Money Unity Arena – the UK’s first socially-distanced music venue at Newcastle Racecourse – this month.

But the 74-year-old music legend has bemoaned the lack of effort from his fellow musicians and promoters in working to get normal shows back amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Morrison wrote on his website: “As you know, we are doing socially distanced gigs at Newcastle Upon Tyne’s Gosforth Park, Electric Ballroom and The London Palladium. This is not a sign of compliance or acceptance of the current state of affairs, this is to get my band up and running and out of the doldrums. This is also not the answer going forward. We need to be playing to full capacity audiences going forward.

“I call on my fellow singers, musicians, writers, producers, promoters and others in the industry to fight with me on this.”

Morrison insisted it only appears to be musical theatre legend Andrew Lloyd Webber and himself who are pushing for full-capacity concerts to resume, while he insisted it’s not “economically viable to do socially distanced gigs”.

He added: “Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber and myself appear to be the only people in the music business trying to get it back up and running again.

“Come forward. It’s not economically viable to do socially distanced gigs. Come forward now, the future is now.”
Sam Fender played the first gig at The Virgin Money Unity Arena, and despite being sceptical at first, he admitted it was a “fantastic” experience.

The 26-year-old singer/songwriter played two homecoming shows at the outdoor venue in north east England, where audiences had their own viewing platforms which held five people and were spaced two metres apart, and he was pleased to “have [his] job back”.

He said: “I was like, ‘Of course I’ll do it. I don’t care what capacity we will do this in, in what format. I want to be on a stage with my band playing to some people.’

“Because I want my job back! I think everyone wants their job back.

“But obviously I was sceptical. It was like playing in front of the biggest human cattle market. But it was fantastic. Of course it’s not going to have the same vibe as a gig where there’s a mosh pit and then people having to go to the emergency room.”

music-news.com

Noise11.com

Follow Noise11 on Social Media

NEW: Noise11 on YouTube SUBSCRIBE

Noise11 on Instagram

You’ll discover music news first following Noise11 on Twitter

Comment on the news of the day, join Noise11 on Facebook

Related Posts

Paul McCartney in Santiago October 2024 photo by Karen Freedman
Paul McCartney Announces North American Got Back Tour 2025

Sir Paul McCartney has announced a second North American leg of his Got Back tour.

15 hours ago
Bob Dylan at the Hollywood Bowl 31 July 2024 photo with thanks to Richard Gilkerson
Bob Dylan To Continue Farewell Tour With Dates In UK and Europe Announced

Legendary songwriter and musician Bob Dylan will return to the UK in 2025 for a string of dates presented by ITB.

1 day ago
Paul Simon and Sting at Mt Duneed Winery 2015
Paul Simon Postpones Show after Back Surgery

Paul Simon has postponed a gig after undergoing surgery for "severe" back pain.

July 4, 2025
John Farnham The Age Music Victoria 10th Anniversary Hall of Fame Concert inducts Victorian music legends at the Palais in St Kilda on Friday 20 November 2015. photo by Ros O'Gorman
John Farnham Becomes A Grandfather

John Farnham is a grandfather. Jett James Farnham was born in Melbourne on June 18, 2025. The family has just now announced the news.

July 1, 2025
The Grateful Dead Movie
The Grateful Dead Movie To Screen In Cinemas Worldwide In August

The Grateful Dead movie will screen at IMAX in August to mark the 60th anniversary of the band’s final performance.

June 28, 2025
John Fogerty photo by David McClister 2
John Fogerty Shares New Solo Versions of CCR Classic ‘Born On the Bayou’ and ‘Lodi’

John Fogerty has premiered two new solo remakes of his Creedence Clearwater Revival classics ‘Born on the Bayou’ and ‘Lodi’.

June 27, 2025
Norman Greenbaum Spirit In the Sky
Norman Greenbaum’s Classic ‘Spirit In the Sky’ Gets Its First Ever Music Video

56 years after its original release, the Norman Greenbaum classic ‘Spirit In The Sky’ gets its first ever music video and Norman makes a cameo in the video.

June 27, 2025