Entertainment
Sheffield’s Tramlines Festival to go ahead at full capacity without masks or social distancing
The Streets are among the headliners (Picture: Roberto Finizio/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Sheffield’s Tramlines Festival 2021 will go ahead as part of the third phase of the Government’s Events Research Programme.
The festival, which takes place between July 23 and July 25, will feature headline performances from The Streets, Royal Blood and Richard Ashcroft at the city’s Hillsborough Park.
Coronavirus restrictions are currently due to end on July 19; however, research is continuing after this date to build up further data and trial the use of the NHS app for certification, according to the festival’s website.
The festival will go ahead at full capacity for 40,000 fans.
Those who attend will not be required to adhere to social distancing or wear masks.
However, those over the age of 11 will have to provide proof of a negative Covid result from a lateral flow test or evidence of having two vaccination doses, 14 days prior to the festival.
Tramlines Operations Director Timm Cleasby, said: ‘We are absolutely delighted to be able to confirm that Tramlines 2021 is going ahead, having accepted the government’s invitation to join the Events Research Programme. This means we have a proven framework to follow, which at previous events has shown that festivals can be enjoyed at no more risk than other activities.
‘Once inside, there will be no need for social distancing and no one will have to wear a mask if they don’t want to. We would like to express our solidarity with those festivals which have not been able to go ahead this year and those which are still seeking clarity.
The festival will go ahead as part of the Government’s Events Research Programme (Picture: Joseph Okpako/WireImage)
‘It is very important to us that clear guidance is made available quickly to the entire event community so that as many festivals as possible can go ahead with confidence this summer. Huge ticket sales across the sector show how keen fans are to come to our events and we want to help reassure them that we can welcome them back safely.’
Sheffield Director of Public Health Greg Fell commented: ‘Sheffield is once again playing a significant and important role in the Government’s Events Research Programme with Tramlines Festival 2021. Helping cultural events to be staged safely is an essential part of our return to life
where we can freely enjoy the things we love, and the findings so far have shown positive outcomes that allow us to take these next steps towards normality.
‘We’re working closely with the DCMS and the Tramlines team to support this milestone event for the city and our music fans. My advice to ticket holders is get your vaccines and, as hard as it might be, if you’ve got symptoms please stay at home.’
The government’s Culture Minister Caroline Dinenage added: ‘I know how desperately people want to get back to festivals, which is why they’re a hugely important part of our Events Research Programme. As we continue to work towards live events reopening fully on July 19th, this year’s Tramlines festival will provide more vital scientific evidence and allow us to trial Covid certification, building on what we’ve learnt from our successful Sefton Park and Download events.’
Download went ahead at reduced capacity (Picture: PA)
Those who had already bought tickets but no longer wish to attend can obtain a full refund or rollover their ticket for the 2022 event.
Other acts playing across the weekend include The Kooks, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Blossoms, Mahalia, Dizzee Rascal and Tom Walker.
On Tuesday, Hertfordshire festival Standon Calling announced it would be going ahead from July 22.
However, other events including Glastonbury, Womad and Kendal Calling have previously announced they will not be taking place this year because of the pandemic.
More: Coronavirus
Earlier this month, Download Festival went ahead with around 10,000 music fans at the rock and metal music event in Leicestershire – although the capacity was significantly reduced from its normal attendance of 111,000.
The festival was a Government pilot event for the return of live music.
Last week it was revealed there were ‘no substantial outbreaks’ of coronavirus among the tens of thousands of people who have attended test events, which have included the Brit Awards and FA Cup final.
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