The end of the mosh pit? What gigs might look like post-coronavirus

With drive-in concerts, socially distanced gigs and virtual performances happening across the world, we examine what the future holds for live music

Just a few months ago, many of us would have thought nothing of jumping up and down while being covered by various liquids and being squashed by other music fans.

Now in the age of the coronavirus, the idea of a mosh pit seems laughable.

But on a more serious note, Covid 19 has left the music industry in crisis.

The pandemic has ensured that all concerts have been postponed for the foreseeable future.

Many artists have turned to technology during the crisis.

While others are turning to more novel ideas to get live music up and running again.

But when can we expect to be able to return to our favourite venues to see bands?

As the lockdown was imposed in March, Blossoms' biggest ever gig at the Manchester Arena due to be held on March 28 was one of the high profile gigs to be postponed.

That show has been put off until August, but it remains to be seen whether that date will prove to be possible.

Since March, mass gatherings such as 20,000 capacity concerts have been banned.

Elbow's three shows at the Apollo, originally due to be held in April, have been moved until late September.

Guy Garvey and co are one of the bands to have embraced technology during the pandemic, regularly posting videos of the group remotely playing some of their most loved songs.

Blossoms have also been getting in on the act, and are set to release an album of the various cover versions the Stockport band have remotely performed together.

Some of Manchester's huge summer gigs were set to include The Killers at Old Trafford Cricket Ground, which would have been held on Saturday (May 30), Liam Gallagher at Heaton Park next month, followed by Parklife at the same venue, as well as the regular Sounds of the City gigs at Castlefield Bowl.

Most have been moved to next summer, but our friends over the pond have been experimenting with new ways of bringing back live music.

While technology is being used by many bands currently, John Legend and other artists have been taking it one step further with virtual gigs.

Using virtual reality technology, Legend has performed a livestreamed gig which promised to 'bridge the gap between fans and artists'.

Country musician Keith Urban recently played a 'drive-in' concert to about 200 healthcare workers in Tennessee.

It remains to be seen whether it would be safe to hold similar gigs on a larger scale.

And blues musician Travis McCready played a 'socially distant' concert in Arkansas.

There were 200 music fans in a 1,000 capacity venue, who wore masks and sat in separate areas to comply with social distancing.

They had their temperatures checked, and were provided with hand sanitiser.

Some concerts in Italy will be held from next month, as the country continues to ease its lockdown.

While some entertainment venues such as cinemas may get the go-ahead to return as soon as July, the advice for music venues has not changed.

And if and when the advice does change, it is unclear whether all music fans will want to return to attending concerts in the way they used to, perhaps until an effective vaccine has been discovered.

Live streaming may become the new normal for some.

All the while, the future of Manchester's music venues is uncertain, as they remain unable to open for business and host the gigs they rely on to survive.