Raving in a post COVID world: An Analysis

[Talk Sick]

no dancing?
whats the fucking point then?

Seems so archaic, what is this footloose? How do you even enforce that?

[Lone Dancer]

Some Berlin clubs, including Sisyphos, have reopened as of Friday, May 15th, as afternoon beer gardens operating with a food license. There are strict no-dancing rules, with most of the bars to close around 10 PM.

no dancing?
whats the fucking point then?

[Talk Sick]

Some interesting perspective from other countries. Up to date as of posting, cross posted from RA.

Italy

Italy, which had one of the strictest lockdowns in Europe, has begun lifting its lockdown in stages. As of Monday, May 18th, bars and restaurants are allowed to reopen with restrictions around table spacing and masks required for patrons when not sat at tables, according to The Local IT.

By June 15th, live music events of up to 200 people indoors and 1,000 people outdoors can return, so long as there is assigned seating, with mask-wearing attendees sat one meter apart, DJ Mag Italia reports. Nightclubs were not acknowledged in the Council Of Ministers' new decree, although Sicilian officials said clubs on the island can reopen on June 8th, pending government approval.

Germany

Germany has allowed for all shops to reopen with social-distancing measures, which has been good news for the country's record stores.

Some Berlin clubs, including Sisyphos, have reopened as of Friday, May 15th, as afternoon beer gardens operating with a food license. There are strict no-dancing rules, with most of the bars to close around 10 PM. The state of Bavaria also reopened restaurants on May 18th, according to the BBC.

Germany currently holds a nationwide ban on clubs, theaters and cultural sites until July 31st. Events with 5,000 people or more are banned until October 24th.

United Kingdom

The UK Home Office shared the 60-page document Our Plan To Rebuild on May 11th. It includes a three-step plan for phasing out the UK lockdown, with the first in action from the 11th, the second tentatively starting no earlier than June 1st, and the third potentially beginning on July 4th. Pubs and restaurants, under the category of "food-service providers," are planned to partially reopen in that third stage. However, it also states, "Some venues which are, by design, crowded and where it may prove difficult to enact distancing may still not be able to reopen safely at this point, or may be able to open safely only in part."

Nightclubs are only mentioned once: "While reopening outdoor spaces and activities (subject to continued social distancing) comes earlier in the roadmap because the risk of transmission outdoors is significantly lower, it is likely that reopening indoor public spaces and leisure facilities (such as gyms and cinemas), premises whose core purpose is social interaction (such as nightclubs), venues that attract large crowds (like sports stadia), and personal care establishments where close contact is inherent (like beauty salons) may only be fully possible significantly later depending on the reduction in numbers of infections."

A new survey by the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) shows the UK industry has serious concerns about the post-lockdown landscape, with 93.8 percent of nightlife business owners are "concerned" that social distancing will spell financial ruin. Independent festivals share similar doubts.

A Scottish-government funded study by the University Of Stirling will look into policy options for reopening bars, nightclubs and restaurants in a way that protects customers and minimizes impact on ambulance services.

South Korea

After South Korea recently relaxed social-distancing measures, including allowing clubs to reopen the weekend of April 24th, there's been a spike in COVID-19 infections, forcing another closure of clubs.

Australia

With under 10,000 reported cases, Australia is considering reopening its economy. Restrictions around gatherings have been lifted in some states, and Falls Festival has announced its New Year's Eve edition will happen with an all-Australian lineup, Australian Broadcasting Corporation reports. Still, the country's Chief Medical Officer stated social-distancing guidelines will likely remain in place until a vaccine, and Big Day Out cofounder Ken West said any 2020 events would face a battle to get clearance.

Denmark

Borders in Denmark remain closed to foreigners, but museums theaters and zoos will begin opening June 8th. Bars, nightclubs and small concert venues will need to wait until sometime in "early" August for reopening, The Local DK reports.

The Netherlands

The Netherlands Minister Of Public Health sent a letter to the House Of Representatives saying "mass events at national level" may only be allowed with the existence of a vaccine, AT5 reports. Concert halls and theaters, however, will be allowed to take groups of 30, with previous reservations and social distancing, starting June 1st. Groups of 100 will be allowed to gather starting July 1st.

United States

The US began an uneven reopening effort, with certain localities, such as Austin, Texas, and Springfield, Kentucky, pushing to open bars and nightclubs imminently. With the world's largest concentration of infections and deaths, reopening efforts in cities like New York and Los Angeles will be carried out in phases, with nightclubs and bars likely being among the last businesses to open.

Portugal

The Portuguese government has banned music festivals until September 30th, and it's also getting involved in refunds for ticket holders, according to ECO. "If shows, scheduled between February 28th and September 30th, are not performed due to the COVID-19 pandemic," the government announced, "the consumers will be provided with 'a voucher of equal value to the ticket price paid.'"

Ireland

The Irish government's 23-page document Roadmap For Reopening Society & Business outlines five phases with tentative timeframes, with the final stage (estimated date August 10th) allowing for "festivals, events and other social mass gatherings... where social distancing can be complied with."

Spain

Spain's lockdown-easing plan allows some "cultural events" to take place starting this month. On May 11th, outdoor terraces of restaurants and bars will be allowed to open at 50 percent capacity and no more than 30 people will be permitted to attend indoor events, 200 for socially distanced, seated open-air events. For the final phase, planned for June 10th, the capacity for indoor events rises to 80 people, while outdoor functions can host up to 800 people in seats. For more details and local promoter reaction, read our report here.

China

Businesses in China, such as clubs and bars, have been permitted to open their doors. Nyshka Chandran spoke to venue owners and staff, promoters and DJs in Chengdu, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Beijing to see how local scenes are recovering after the coronavirus lockdown—read the in-depth report.

[Sheepzilla]

Unfortunately, I don't see things being "normal" for a while. I know I'm avoiding large events until it's guaranteed that I'm safe.

I don't think how people interact changes permanently though, assuming there's a vaccine, people will all be shaking hands and hugging just like we used to.

[Smurfy]

This is an excellent point. And unfortunately one I was afraid of.

Will this have lasting social implications that will stay with us long after covid? Will people still hug when greeting each other? Are handshakes a thing of the past? Will people be reluctant to go out even after a vaccine or herd immunity is established?

Has clubbing changed forever? Or just for now?

We are definintley coming out of this experience is a new paradigm. The handshake is dead. I knew that from the get go but thats an aside from the two real talking point here, has clubbing changed forever? Yes, but not just clubbing, the entire face to face interaction of a "normal" society has changed. Covid will now be a demarcation like 9/11, pre and post covid worlds are two very different world models, in my opinion.

the second talking point, is about streaming.. has streaming proved that most ' club nights can be a live stream, rather than a club night?" very much to the extent of "the meeting could have been an email"

will live streaming have the same effect as uber eats/ skip the dishes had on hospitality..? cutting out the server bartender as a middle man? Live streaming has cut the club/promoter out of the middle man role, and to me, thats the scariest part of this. Yes its brilliant to have access to live music, new music from my living room but its starting to feel more and more like "Demolition Man" AND "1984" mashed up into one weird place to be.

[hydroxychloroquine]

Liberal pussies are ruining it for the rest of us who want to open back up and get things back to normal.

Not everyone is afraid of their own shadow.

It's just a Flu!

[Suga-B]

Think there needs to be more support from local talent rather than out sourcing over seas. My personal opinion. Masks will be pretty trippy and people will probably be creative about it! I think there is a need for it though.

It's going to be a while before many International flights are allowed, as many borders will be closed for a while until certain countries with highest cases improves or they find a cure. Getting international talent may not happen for a while. Going local is the way forward as you say!

[Mountain Dew]

I suppose like a crew of 10 ravers won’t be sharing one bottle of water.

[JC007]

Do you remember having to squeeze past sweating shirtless Ginos? I do 😳

[Symbiant]

If event capacity is capped at 100 people, superstar DJs will have to adjust their fees. But the reality is we don't need them with the amazing local talent in the city.

Fair enough. I get it though, their demands and cost of living especially when it’s their source of income.

[Talk Sick]

$150 is pretty pricey yeah?

If event capacity is capped at 100 people, superstar DJs will have to adjust their fees. But the reality is we don't need them with the amazing local talent in the city.

[Symbiant]

This is an excellent point. And unfortunately one I was afraid of.

Will this have lasting social implications that will stay with us long after covid? Will people still hug when greeting each other? Are handshakes a thing of the past? Will people be reluctant to go out even after a vaccine or herd immunity is established?

Has clubbing changed forever? Or just for now?

Think the whole streaming thing is gonna be a bandaid for the time being. Think there def needs so be some form of monitoring in play. Hand sanitizer, checking temperatures etc.

[Talk Sick]

I’m unlikely to put myself in a situation where I’m in close contact with a bunch of strangers for some time, certainly not before the predicted 2nd wave in the fall.

This is an excellent point. And unfortunately one I was afraid of.

Will this have lasting social implications that will stay with us long after covid? Will people still hug when greeting each other? Are handshakes a thing of the past? Will people be reluctant to go out even after a vaccine or herd immunity is established?

Has clubbing changed forever? Or just for now?

[Symbiant]

The first person who tries to emcee in my ear in a post COVID world is going to get jooked.

I

😂 amazing

hahahahahaha

[2bru_]

start with small local dj parties in open air public spaces..
Fort York, Sugar Beach, Sherbourne Commons etc.

would be fun!