2021 European Tour Announcement

The oxford vaccine is huge for the uk. There's a good chance that some two thirds of the uk population will be vaccinated by the time the hyde park gig rolls round, based on the estimates and factoring in a bit of contingency. That said, if the rest of Europe is not as well vaccinated then the tour as a whole will surely be scrapped/rescheduled regardless. Certainly feels like the tour is going to come a few months too early at this point.

I'm going to buck the current trend of this thread and predict that some if not all of the European 21 tour will go ahead, especially the festivals.  This is based purely on personal opinion!! and I am sure others have differing views.

The need for lockdowns and social distancing restrictions will ease quickly as those who are vulnerable are vaccinated along with front line staff such as the NHS (in UK).  With the vulnerable protected economic factors will come to the fore and the hospitality industry, theatres and gigs will reopen so people can try to rebuild their business and pay staff etc.  It is worth noting that even in these dark times the national news in the UK constantly trots out a line of hospitality industry "experts" advocating that venues should remain open to protect the economic future of those that work within them, imagine the immense political pressure to reopen once the hospitals admissions begin to decline.  Covid 19 is here to stay and we will have to learn how to live with it in the background (as generally a non fatal disease) whilst we rebuild.  Going to gigs then becomes a personal choice which we can make for ourselves based on individual circumstances and appetite for risk.

Not sure about international travel (probably have to prove you have been vaccinated) but if BST (and other euro festivals) goes ahead then I am guessing that PJ will be obligated to fulfil their commitments??

I am no expert, at all, on festival contracts and get your point.  I think there will be a huge swing in Mar/Apr in the UK towards getting hospitality open again.  I'm just speculating on what would be the case if concerts in the UK are allowed and the venue wants to go ahead?  Hospitality in the UK (as I am guessing it is in many countries) is on the bones of it's arse and once the vulnerable are protected and hospital admissions are reduced I think we will be surprised how quickly re-opening happens.

CB254133 said:

I am no expert, at all, on festival contracts and get your point.  I think there will be a huge swing in Mar/Apr in the UK towards getting hospitality open again.  I'm just speculating on what would be the case if concerts in the UK are allowed and the venue wants to go ahead?  Hospitality in the UK (as I am guessing it is in many countries) is on the bones of it's arse and once the vulnerable are protected and hospital admissions are reduced I think we will be surprised how quickly re-opening happens.

The medical experts all say that even with people vaccinated that social distancing and masks will remain necessary for the foreseeable future. There is no way to conduct social distancing in a general admission concert, especially one that has already been ticketed with a standard (pre-Covid) layout. There is very little chance that Hyde Park will happen in July. Other venues may re-open with all those factors accounted for in how the events are ticketed. 

None of those things require 40,000 people standing in a park on top of each other. And yes, it’s totally wishful thinking in the other regards too. The end of this will be a gradual return to normal, not flicking a switch from off to on. 

i take it you won't be going then even if there is a slim chance the concerts will be on?

I will go if the shows are on.
But I do not see Europe happening. June / July is too early sadly. And I doubt the band will want to do Hyde Park even if they are allowed to do so. For the safety of their fans and also for the safety of themselves and families.  Unless the reason for two shows is that they are socially distanced!! 
I really wish we weren't in this situation but even after the most vulnerable, there are major risks for the next few levels down. I think it will be seen as super spreader events that are not necessary compared to the economic hit.  
12 week gap between fist and second AZ injections.... There just isn't time I don't think... Hope I am wrong!!!!

Luckytwn1 said:

CB254133 said:

i take it you won't be going then even if there is a slim chance the concerts will be on?

Well, considering I actually attended the World Series in 2020 during the pandemic, I will not rule out attending an event I feel is being put on safely. And I have tickets for Hyde Park but that doesn’t matter, of course, when the show is postponed or cancelled again because there won’t be an event to attend. 

Mate, you seem to be a tad put out that I dare to have an option that differs from your own; and whilst you're reading the future with such certainty can you have a quick bash at forecasting the football results for New Years day as I could do with winning a few quid at the bookies and of course I will buy you a pint with my winnings when we  attend the London shows whatever year they are held.

Gravey1975 said:

The timeline doesn't look good for BST. The only way I foresee it will take place is if theres a rush to reopen the country once the vulnerable 20% are vaccinated, which they certainly will be by july. If the rest of us wont get seriously ill,  there will inevitably be pressure from the sports and entertainment industry to get fans back, so you never know. But if a decision needs to be made about the viability of the tour sometime around April, I'd assume they will err on the side of caution and cancel.

For what it's worth I think you are spot on with all your points.  There are millions of economically affected individuals, I know what thread I am on but we are not just talking about a couple of PJ concerts, we are talking about a multi billion pound industry in the UK alone. This isn't about about some people making a few quid from a couple of shows we are talking about peoples survival and economic future, (sounds dramatic I know but try not having a, or a significantly reduced, income for the best part of a year).  Once those most vulnerable to COVID19 are protected I think there will be a huge rush to get the entertainment industry restarted.  Will it be in time for the Euro Tour?  Possibly not but I am more hopeful for the NA tour in the autumn.

BlueLedbetter said:

Doubt this will go ahead now but i read that UEFA will make a decision on the euros by 5th march so that should give us an indication 

No way that UEFA are going to give the go-ahead. If they're making the decision in March then they've already made the decision as the vaccination programme won't have made much of a dent by then. I've got tickets for the Eng-Sco match but sadly I'll be at home watching that.