Ireland will host its first big music festival with an audience of 3,500 people next month.
Those attending will have to undergo rapid testing and social distancing will be reduced to one metre.
It will be the first big music festival in almost 16 months.
Hosted by Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA), it will take place at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Dublin, in conjunction with MCD Productions on Saturday July 3.
I'm determined to see live performance recover & reopen safely
The purpose of these pilot events is to establish confidence in protocols developed for the sector
Using antigen tests will allow us to consider them as a means of gaining entry to live events as we begin reopening pic.twitter.com/L5n47bZo1l
— Catherine Martin TD (@cathmartingreen) June 22, 2021
The pilot event will include Gavin James, Lyra, Denise Chaila, Wild Youth, Sharon Shannon and Wyvern Lingo performing full sets.
The show will be hosted by The 2 Johnnies.
Up to 500 frontline healthcare workers and their friends will receive a reserve allocation of tickets.
Catherine Martin, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, said: “As you know I am taking a cautious but steady approach to the reopening of the live music.
“Keeping everyone safe is the primary consideration for this Government.
“To advance trials the festival on July 3 will have 3,500 fans. Social distancing will be reduced to one metre and I am now also introducing rapid testing for concert-goers and staff.
“The purpose of these events is to build the road back to the safe and full recovery of live music and sporting events and establish confidence in the guidance and event management protocols developed for the sector.
A gig.
I can’t lie I didn’t think something like this would happen so soon. I’m planning on leaving 15 months of frustration, grief and longing on that stage.
Tickets on sale Friday at 9am.
testing ✅ social distancing ✅ pints ✅ me, sobbing ✅
Can’t wait to see you x pic.twitter.com/MIwAnvR9KF
— denise (@DeniseChaila) June 22, 2021
“The use of antigen tests is to help consider the logistics as a means to gaining entry to live events as the sector reopens.
“I am delighted to confirm that we will be joined by 500 frontline healthcare workers and their friends who will receive a reserve allocation of tickets as a special thank you.
“I am determined to see live music and the arts recover and reopen and this is another step in the right direction.”
The music festival is one of a series of pilot cultural and sporting events taking place in June and July.
I'm announcing details of next week's pilot live music event –a music festival @IMMAIreland on July 3rd
Ft @gavinjames @thislyra @DeniseChaila @SharonShannon99 @WyvernLingo @the2johnnies @bandwildyouth
🟢rapid testing🟢3,500 fans🟢distancing at 1m
More details shortly pic.twitter.com/ctmi2xW6yT
— Catherine Martin TD (@cathmartingreen) June 22, 2021
Annie Fletcher, director of IMMA, said: “It has been inspirational to see the public initiatives planned for this summer by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media which herald a new future for us all as we begin to imagine a post-pandemic world.
“As the Irish Museum of Modern Art, we are a centre of innovation.
“Over the past year, we have seen just how important the grounds and outdoor programme has been to our visitors, particularly our local community in Dublin 8.
“We are delighted to collaborate on this pioneering event because at the heart of everything, IMMA aspires to be a place where creative culture can be shared by all.”
Meanwhile, a further 294 cases of Covid-19 were confirmed in Ireland on Tuesday evening by the Department of Health.
There were 39 people with the virus in hospital on Tuesday evening including 13 people in ICU.
The department said case numbers may change due to future data review, validation and update.