Here it is: The UK’s first dedicated socially distanced music venue
The Virgin Money Unity Arena will open this summer at Newcastle’s Gosforth Park for live music and comedy

The UK’s first dedicated socially distanced venue is set to open this summer, with a lineup featuring live music and comedy.
The outdoor Virgin Money Unity Arena will welcome fans at Newcastle’s Gosforth Park, with the full lineup set to be announced next week.
A statement from SSD Concerts reads: “The UK's first dedicated socially distanced music venue is arriving in Newcastle this summer! Virgin Money Unity Arena will arrive at Gosforth Park in August with a stellar line up of live music and comedy.
“Join us for a unique socially distanced live entertainment experience. Enjoy the show with your friends and family from the safety of your own personal viewing area.
“The arena is designed to keep you safe, with organised parking and a socially distanced queuing system into the arena where you will be directed to your personal area.”
The lineup will be revealed on Tuesday next week (July 7) with tickets then going on sale on July 10.
Since the lockdown began, several artists have performed drive-in concerts across Europe, including Doro Pesch, while in Arkansas in May, Bishop Gunn frontman Travis McCready played the world’s first socially distanced concert in front on 229 people – around 20% of the venue’s capacity.
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And earlier this year, during a quarter earnings call, Live Nation’s CEO Michael Rapino laid out a range of ideas about how the live music industry could open up again, which included drive-in gigs and “fan-less concerts with broadcasts and reduced-capacity shows.”

Scott has spent 36 years in newspapers, magazines and online as an editor, production editor, sub-editor, designer, writer and reviewer. Scott joined our news desk in 2014 before moving into e-commerce in 2020. Scott maintains Louder’s buyer’s guides, highlights deals, and reviews headphones, speakers, earplugs and more. Over the last 11 years, Scott has written more than 11,000 articles across Louder, Classic Rock, Metal Hammer and Prog. He's previously written for publications including IGN, Sunday Mirror, Daily Record and The Herald, covering everything from news and features, to tech reviews, video games, travel and whisky. Scott's favourite bands are Fields Of The Nephilim, The Cure, New Model Army, All About Eve, The Mission, Cocteau Twins, Drab Majesty, Marillion and Rush.