As someone who lives in the United States, where cases are still rising exponentially and states are
lifting mask mandates left and right, it is hard to imagine attending a concert safely, without
worrying about COVID-19. However, in other countries that handled the virus more efficiently, life is
slowly returning back to normal. With COVID transmission under control in New Zealand, people in
the country have been able to attend large gatherings once again.

In January, nearly 20, 000 fans attended a concert in Waitangi, New Zealand, featuring local band
Six60, without having to wear masks and worry about social distancing guidelines. The country has
been able to hold large events without social distancing guidelines in place since the end of 2020. In
the United States and Europe, that concept seems a little hard to imagine but with the vaccination
rollouts, people are holding on to the hope of a return to normal during the fall. The Wall Street
Journal reported that after a “long, painful pause,” the music industry could potentially go back to
normal this summer or fall. However, other sources report that it may be a long time before there is
a full-scale return to concerts and tours, possibly even until early 2022.

“You get one event that’s a super-spreader, and that can still happen-you want to be far away from
that,” said an anonymous agent during an interview with the Rolling Stone. “I still think on a
national touring level, no, wait until next year.”
Some artists, including Taylor Swift, have also begun to cancel their postponed tours amidst
uncertainties about reopening timelines.

“This is an unprecedented pandemic that has changed everyone’s plans and no one knows what the
touring landscape is going to look like in the near future,” said Taylor Swift, in a social media
announcement last month. “I’m so disappointed that I won’t be able to see you in person as soon as I
wanted to.”
Health experts have warned people about the variants and the dangers of large gatherings, even as
more people are getting vaccinated. Even though some states like Texas and Mississippi are lifting
restrictions and allowing large gatherings once again, it is important to stay safe and practice social
distancing measures until COVID cases have significantly lowered.