It's no secret that the COVID-19 pandemic has upended the live entertainment industry. Dozens upon dozens of concerts have postponed or cancelled, with no end in sight to the restrictions on mass gatherings that would allow us to have live music back anytime soon.
But since necessity is the mother of innovation, musicians and promoters are trying to come up with new ways to present live music in a way that meets CDC guidelines. Electronic musician Marc Rebillet is embarking on the first "Drive-in concert tour" this months with seven dates around the Midwest. Here in Nashville, Sean Porter put together a series of drive-in concerts on top of a trailer outside of Daddy's Dogs in The Nations.
And now, country legend Garth Brooks is taking the drive-in concert to a differentt level.
Garth went on GMA yesterday to announce a "concert event" on June 27th, which will be broadcast on 300 drive-in movie theater screens around North America.
The concert will air on the screen, which you'll be able to see from your car, for a cost of $100 per vehicle. Every venue will follow CDC guidelines with staff wearing PPE, vehicles parked six feet away from each other, and limited capacity in the restrooms.
Garth says "This drive-in concert allows us all to get back to playing live music without the uncertainty of what would be the result to us as a community. This is old school, new school, and perfect for the time we are in."
I love the concept, but would you pay $100 to watch a concert on TV? I mean I REALLY miss live music, but that seems a little steep to still not replicate the full live music experience.
That said, if you want to see Garth on the big screen, tickets go on sale June 19th here. Theaters showing the event will be announced on June 15th, with the Stardust in Watertown being the most likely venue here in the Nashville area.