Festival and live event promoters hope last night's Tom Jones concert in Belfast can act as a blueprint.
That's to get similar gigs going in the Republic again.
Five thousand people attended the first of 10 events planned throughout August.
Crowds have gathered for the long awaited return of Custom House Square in Belfast. High Kings warming up the crowd before Tom Jones hits the stage 💃🏼 pic.twitter.com/ETYtsT7pAI
— Sasha Wylie (@SashaWylie) August 10, 2021
Proof Of Vaccination Or Negative Tests Required
At the age of 81, Tom Jones showed the five thousand strong crowd at Belfast's Custom House Square that he still has it.
Everyone had to either be fully vaccinated, or produce proof of negative test before entering.
These people say it WAS unusual to be back - but they felt safe:
"It's a bit strange," a woman told us.
"But I think it's good that you have to have your vaccine card or your negative test."
"I think it's good that they're doing that."
Touring Belfast in ‘67….
54 years later still touring and playing shows! See you soon @chsqbelfast
😚🎟🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/CWlNPMVjtT— Tom Jones (@RealSirTomJones) August 10, 2021
Almost One Third Of Tickets Went To The Republic
Around 30% of tickets were sold to people in the Republic.
So attention has now turned on when the events industry can get back up and running here.
The government has indicated it will have a roadmap by the end of August, but that will be too late according to some in the industry.
Event Promotor Shane Dunne says they already know how to put on a safe concert:
"Anybody putting on a match, a GAA match, goes through a lot less in terms of the process getting a live event license."
"So we know what it's about."
"But yes we're capped at a couple of hundred at an outdoor event."
"It just doesn't make sense."
Nine more concerts are planned for the rest of this month, including performances from Kodaline, Fontaines DC and Scooter.
