Two bands from Greater Manchester will perform at the first UK show without masks or social distancing since the start of the pandemic.
Stockport band Blossoms and Wigan group The Lathums will feature on the bill alongside Liverpool musician Zuzu for a pilot event at Sefton Park – which the government is using to test the safe return of big crowds.
5,000 people are expected to attend the event – 2,500 fewer than the venue can ordinarily accommodate at maximum capacity.
Ticket-holders will not need to adhere to any COVID measures – but must take a rapid lateral flow test at a local testing centre and provide a negative result to enter.
Attendees will also be asked to take another test upon leaving the event.
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The gig, which is scheduled for May 2, is being hosted by Festival Republic and forms part of an overall programme of pilot shows examining how venues can accommodate large audiences post-COVID.
Researchers are exploring how different approaches to social distancing, ventilation and testing protocols could ‘ease opening and maximise participation’ in events, gathering information to learn how venues could operate safely this summer.
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4,000 people attended the FA Cup semi-final between Southampton and Leicester on Sunday (April 18), with a reduced crowd also watching the World Snooker Championships in Sheffield over the weekend.
Under England’s current roadmap out of lockdown, up to 1,000 people could be permitted at indoor entertainment venues from May 17.
Up to 4,000 people may be allowed to attend outdoor venues from this date, and the largest outdoor seated arenas could accommodate up to 10,000 people.
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By June 21, the government is aiming to remove all COVID measures and allow venues to operate at capacity.
Managing Director at Festival Republic Melvin Benn said: “Secretary of State Oliver Dowden and his team at DCMS are showing real commitment to making this a reality by launching the Event Research Programme and including the Sefton Park Pilot.
“I’m delighted to be able to support the Government’s efforts to get the live music industry back up and running. This gig is about our absolute commitment to demonstrate that we can and will open on June 21st.”
Featured image: Blossoms / Twitter
News
Arrest made after 14-year-old boy found in critical condition on Market Street
Daisy Jackson
An arrest has been made after a teenage boy was found unresponsive on Market Street in Manchester city centre.
Detectives believe that the boy, 14, was approached by seven males who stole a designer jacket from him.
Following the altercation, he went into cardiac arrest and was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.
Thankfully, the teenager is continuing to recover well.
Detectives from Manchester City Centre Criminal Investigation Department confirmed that an 18-year-old male was arrested yesterday, Thursday 20 February.
He has been arrested on suspicion of robbery and remains in police custody.
Detective Inspector Mark Astbury of GMP’s City Centre Criminal Investigation Department, said: “We hope the victim can continue his recovery following what must have been a terrifying ordeal for him.
“Officers are fully investigating all aspects of this shocking incident that has left a man with serious injuries in hospital.
“Our work doesn’t stop here, we are continuing to investigate this incident and information from the public plays an incredibly important role in our investigations and I ask that the community keep talking to us and keep sharing their concerns with us so our teams can act.”
If you have any information, contact GMP 101 or 0161 856 4305 quoting log 2854 of 16/2/25.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials
Emily Sergeant
Trials are currently underway to see if comedy could be an alternative to antidepressants as a way to reduce NHS costs.
UK tech company Craic Health has secured important funding for its ‘comedy on prescription’ project that’s aimed at helping the Government work with the comedy industry, communities, and organisations on comedy-based social prescriptions in the hope that they can solve financial struggles within the NHS.
The groundbreaking scheme uses stand-up shows and workshops to help people who are isolated, lonely, and vulnerable.
Craic believes comedy is an ‘untapped opportunity’ to improve health and wellbeing, and has a goal to make comedy easier to access, so that it can help communities experience its mental health and social benefits.
To achieve this, the company has started trialling Comedy-on-Prescription experiences in the UK – starting in London, with the potential for expansion – which includes things like curated comedy panel game show events and workshops, and general stand-up comedy shows at some of the capital’s world-famous venues.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
“Mental health issues like loneliness, isolation, and stress are more common than ever,” the company explains.
“So much so that it’s projected that by 2030, mental health problems, particularly depression, will be the leading cause of mortality and morbidity globally, [but] in this challenging world, comedy stands out as a universal language that breaks barriers.
“Research shows that comedy and laughter have powerful effects – they bring people together, create positive connections, and make life more enjoyable.”
Craic Health says that social prescribing, of which Comedy-on-Prescription is a part of, is all about inclusivity, which makes it making it suitable for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.
Its focus is on personalised support, tailored to individual needs and preferences.
The Manc -
19th April 2021 
