London’s O2 have confirmed that full capacity “Welcome Back” gigs will return from August.
The venue will host a series of “Welcome Back” gigs, with artists to play infront of full capacity crowds for the first time since March 2020.
Live music events appear to be gathering pace in the UK. Pilot music events took place a few weeks ago. Footage and photographs emerged over a weekened of people standing and dancing closely together in nightclub like venues across Liverpool. More on that here.
Meanwhile, live events guru Melvin Benn also expressed confidence that his three day Electric Picnic festival in Stradbally will go ahead this year.
“I can see no reason why the Irish government, wouldn’t be saying, ‘You can be back to normal by August, or in August’. The event in Liverpool was extraordinarily similar, it felt like you were in 2019, pre-Covid”, Benn said. More on that report here.
The Brit Awards were also staged last week in front of 4,000 people, with the ceremony opened by Coldplay. More here. And here.
Mo Gilligan and Friends and The Black British Takeover
The first of the “Welcome Back” gigs set for London’s O2 is called, “Mo Gilligan and Friends and The Black British Takeover”. This will see comedian Mo Gilligan perform at the O2 on December 8.
“I’m really proud of the Black British comedy circuit that I started on. The talent on this scene is exceptional, but all too often ignored by mainstream media, so what better place to showcase the culture than the most famous venue in the country? We’re ready to bring the Great British Public a show like you’ve never seen before!”, Gilligan said.
Tickets for that event will go on sale here on 21 May at 10am.
Further events are to be announced between August and December. It is also promised to include “rock, pop and dance” events.
Welcome Back gigs will bring “So much joy to fans who have been missing us almost as much as we’ve been missing them” – O2 General Manager.
“We’re ready to welcome full capacity crowds back to The O2 again, and The Welcome Back Shows are going to bring so much joy to fans who have been missing us almost as much as we’ve been missing them”, said the O2 VP and General Manager Steve Sayer.
He also added, “We have created a truly spectacular programme of events to reopen the venue, and 2022 looks set to be our busiest ever”.
“The Welcome Back Shows mark a really exciting moment for The O2 and for our fans, as we get ready to welcome full capacity crowds back to the venue after such a long period”, added Emma Bownes, VP of Programming for AEG Europe (Owner & operator of the O2).
“We’re planning a stunning string of events that will bring the best in comedy, dance, afrobeat, rock and pop to London and give fans what they’ve been waiting for”, she also added.
“We’re delighted to be launching our return season with the very best of British comedy and know that hearing The O2 arena roar with 20,000 laughs is the tonic we all need”.
