The newest additions to the gig calendar at Newcastle Racecourse include Frank Turner, with support from Jess Guise, taking place on the 7^th September, as well as the names of Jack Savoretti (September 18) and Lighthouse Family (September 19). The venue provides music fans from the North East with a safe gig experience, as the audience is watching the stage from individual platforms that are all located two meters apart from one another.

Organiser Steve Davis is really happy about how successful the new venue turned out to be. “We are delighted to add further shows to what has been an amazing and uplifting project for the North East’s music industry”, he told NME. “The new additions add further quality to what is already an amazing line-up of talent.”

ACTUAL SHOW ANNOUNCEMENT!

Monday 7th September, Newcastle Unity Arena. Duo show (me and Matt), support from @JessGuise, fully socially distanced. Tickets available now:https://t.co/Xp2cKQH0UC pic.twitter.com/e2tIvBhiub

— Frank Turner (@frankturner) August 24, 2020

“It’s amazing to see show after show customers are complying with the guidelines and enjoying this safe outdoor arena. We hope to return to normal as soon as possible but for now, we offer the best alternative in the world to a live gig experience.” Unlike the normal concerts that we’re used to, moshpits and crowd surfing are obviously off limits. However, the Virgin Money Unity Arena organisers are trying to make the new experience as enjoyable as possible, and therefore came up with a system that allows the audience to pre-order drinks and food on the venue’s website.

Though that way you won’t be able to meet a nice stranger at the bar, and though there’s a one-way system for the toilets to keep contact at a bare minimum, this is a way to enjoy live music whilst living through a worldwide pandemic. And with the line-up gaining more and more artists and dates, you might as well get to enjoy your favourite artist or band at a unique concert experience soon.

The venue is Virgin Money’s new Unity Arena, located at Newcastle Racecourse in Fender’s hometown, holding a total of 2,500 attendees – while social distancing, of course. Fans were spread out by two metres, standing on viewing platforms in groups of five. Tickets sold out in minutes, costing £32.50 per person, plus an additional £20 per group of five to reserve the viewing area.

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Let’s go again tonight! #letthemusicplay @afishout0fwater

A post shared by Sam Fender (@sam_fender) on Aug 13, 2020 at 5:50am PDT

Fender played songs from his popular debut album ‘Hypersonic Missiles’, as well as some new tracks, which are said to be from his next album, coming soon. These are speculated to be titled ‘The Kitchen’ and ‘Seventeen Going Under’, leaving one unnamed song.

Fans gave mixed reviews of the event, while Steve Davis, managing directer of SSD Concerts who helped put the event together, gave his thoughts: “Since all of our scheduled concerts have been postponed to later in the year and all venues in the city closed, the staff at SSD had a willingness to continue. We can’t be without music during these times so our only thought has been how can we bring music back to the British public safely and responsibly.”

This gig marks the beginning of a series of shows at the arena, co-created by the This Is Tomorrow Festival team. Acts to follow include Van Morrison, The Libertines, Two Door Cinema Club, and Supergrass. Sam Fender will also be taking to the stage again tonight for another sold out show.

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Buzzing for round 2 tonight!! Doors 6pm @heidi_music_ 8pm @sam_fender 9pm

A post shared by Sam Fender (@sam_fender) on Aug 13, 2020 at 3:38am PDT

With audience members following a one-way system and wearing face coverings whenever they left their viewing areas, the show seems to have gone extremely well. This could offer a new way of holding live events for the foreseeable future, however it still does nothing for any small grassroots venues or festivals. Last month, on 29th July, Frank Turner held his own socially distanced gig at the Clapham Grand. Unfortunately, it was deemed an unsuccessful and unsustainable business model by the venue’s manager, with Turner raising similar concerns.

The line up includes iconic acts like Van Morrison, Ronan Keating, Two Door Cinema Club, Bootleg Beatles and Rumours of Fleetwood Mac. There will also be a range of comedians who will perform shows in the arena such as, Bill Bailey, Jimmy Carr and Jason Manford.

The arena’s events are appealing to all audiences by also hosting an event called Love at the Musicals, which will be a celebration of the greatest love songs in musical theatre and feature performers like Joe McElderry, Sophie Evans and Collabro.

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Virgin Money Unity Arena just got even BIGGER! 11 HUGE new shows announced with more to come soon! Tickets on sale Wednesday 29th July 10am. www.virginmoneyunityarena.com

A post shared by Virgin Money Unity Arena (@virginmoneyunityarena) on Jul 27, 2020 at 2:00am PDT

Speaking about the line-up announcement, festival organiser Steve Davis said; “We’ve been blown away by the response we’ve had regarding Virgin Money Unity Arena throughout the world. We’re proud to be hosting an event with this kind of vision and reach on Tyneside. With all eyes on the North East this summer, we hope this second announcement has everyone excited. To have acts of the calibre of Van Morrison and Jimmy Carr is amazing. And with more exciting announcements on the way, the UK’s first socially distanced live arena is set to provide the very best in live music, comedy and family fun this summer.”

The events will be fully socially distanced by following all of the government’s guidelines. Audience members will be able to pre-order food and drinks on their website. There will also be a one-way system for the toilets, which will keep contact to a minimum. The full information about their rules for the events are on their website.

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This is the life! Catch indie icons @twodoorcinemaclub in Newcastle this Summer! bit.ly/VMUA

A post shared by Virgin Money Unity Arena (@virginmoneyunityarena) on Jul 25, 2020 at 2:01am PDT

The line-up for the events ranging from the 15th of August until the 13th of September are as follows:

15/08 – Two Door Cinema Club
16/08 – The Bootleg Beatles (afternoon show)
16/08 – Adam Kay (evening show)
19/08 – Rumours of Fleetwood Mac
22/08 – Supergrass
23/08 – Love at the Musicals feat. Collabro, Joe McElderry & Sophie Evans
26/08 – Elvana
27/08 – Tom Grennan
28/08 – Klub Kids: Summer Mania
29/08 – The Libertines (afternoon and evening)
30/08 – Bongo’s Bingo (afternoon show)
30/08 – Jason Manford (evening show)
31/08 – Jimmy Carr
1-2/09 – Bill Bailey
3/09 – Van Morrison
5/09 – Maximo Park
9/09 – Craig Charles (*please note this date has changed from Friday 14th August)
10/09 – Alfie Boe
11/09 – Ronan Keating
12/09 – Bongo’s Bingo
13/09 – Becky Hill

Tickets for these events will go on sale on Wednesday 29th July at 10am. You can purchase tickets by clicking here.

Following the announcement of a new outdoor music venue on July 6, the organisers behind the massive This Is Tomorrow Festival and SSD concerts has fulfilled their promise to unveil which exciting acts will be performing at the very first huge event at the Virgin Money Unity Arena. Expanding for nine dates, the festival will see the appearances from wide-ranging indie heroes as well as comedy shows from the likes of Bill Bailey and Craig Charles’ DJ set.

First Announcement! Live entertainment returns to Newcastle! Many more shows to be announced including family programme! Enjoy music, comedy and much more from your own personal viewing area. Tickets on sale Friday: https://t.co/PIQGqfoYNC pic.twitter.com/6Dpg7WXDk2

— Virgin Money Unity Arena (@VMUnityArena) July 7, 2020

Northern Ireland’s indie icon Two Door Cinema Club will bring music from their latest LP ‘False Alarm‘ to perform on August 20, while the legendary Libertines will also make a comeback on August 29. Alt-pop singer Tom Grennan, Supergrass, Maximo Park are also set to rock out the event.

According to DIY, Virgin Money’s marketing director Helen Page spoke of the upcoming socially-distanced gig: “We are thrilled to announce such a strong line-up of both musicians and comedians performing at the Virgin Money Unity Arena. We are excited to bring this innovative music event to the public for what we believe will be the best live experience this summer.”

Virgin Money plans to structure the venue under the social-distancing scheme to safeguard the audience from the COVID-19 pandemic, with individual viewing areas that keep the goers at least two metres apart from one another. The venue will also offer complete service of food, drinks, and toilet facilities, guaranteeing the best and safe experience for everyone.

Below are the full dates of the event, and check out the tickets from Virgin Money’s official site here.

Full Dates and Line-Up
14/08/2020 — Craig Charles
15/08 — Two Door Cinema Club
22/08 — Supergrass
27/08 — Tom Grennan
29/08 — The Libertines
30/08 — Jason Manford
01/09 — Bill Bailey
02/09 — Bill Bailey
05/09 — Maximo Park