Tramlines 2021 to go ahead as government test event

Organisers of Sheffield's Tramlines festival have announced the event will go ahead next month as part of the government's series of test events.

The three-day event which begins on 23 July will operate at full-capacity as part of the Events Research Programme.

Royal Blood, Richard Ashcroft and The Streets are among the acts set to perform.

Culture Minister Caroline Dinenage MP said the event would provide "vital scientific evidence".

Tramlines will now take place four days after the 19 July date when the government expects to lift all limits on social contact.

Those who bought tickets to last year's cancelled festival will be able to attend, with those not wanting to go being able to roll their ticket over to next year or receive a full refund.

Ticket holders will be asked for either proof of a negative lateral flow test taken within 48 hours before arriving at the festival, or proof of full vaccination, the second dose having been received at least 14 days before the first day of attending the event.

Once on-site people will not be required to observe social distancing or wear face masks.

Ms Dinenage said: "I know how desperately people want to get back to festivals, which is why they're a hugely important part of our Events Research Programme.

"As we continue to work towards live events reopening fully on 19 July, this year's Tramlines festival will provide more vital scientific evidence and allow us to trial Covid certification, building on what we've learnt from our successful Sefton Park and Download events."

Tramlines Operations Director, Timm Cleasby, said he was "absolutely delighted" but wanted to "express solidarity with festivals not able to go ahead this year".

He said: "It is very important to us that clear guidance is made available quickly to the entire event community so that as many festivals as possible can go ahead with confidence this summer.

"Huge ticket sales across the sector show how keen fans are to come to our events and we want to help reassure them that we can welcome them back safely."

Sheffield Director of Public Health Greg Fell said: "Helping cultural events to be staged safely is an essential part of our return to life where we can freely enjoy the things we love, and the findings so far have shown positive outcomes that allow us to take these next steps towards normality.

"We're working closely with the DCMS and the Tramlines team to support this milestone event for the city and our music fans.

"My advice to ticket holders is get your vaccines and, as hard as it might be, if you've got symptoms please stay at home."

Latitude announced earlier this week it would also be going ahead as part of the government's series of test events.

The four-day festival will take place at Henham Park in Suffolk from 22 July.

The Download festival took place in Donington Park, Leicestershire, from 18-20 June, but with a reduced capacity down from 111,000 to just 10,000.

One of the first pilot music events, in Liverpool's Sefton Park, saw 5,000 fans gather to watch singer Zuzu and indie band Blossoms on 2 May.

Liverpool public health director Matt Ashton later said the trial was "undoubtedly a success" with no detectable spread of the virus.

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