Concerts May Not Return Until 2021 Due To COVID-19 Pandemic

Usually,  this time of year has most concert goers mapping out their summer schedule for shows and gearing up for the opening night at DTE Music Theatre.  Now, music industry experts say listening to recordings and watching virtual concerts is most likely going to be the closest we get to the real deal for some time.

All indications point to concerts, festivals, and other large gatherings being the last things to return when the world shifts back to normal. Already we have seen major tours from Bon Jovi & Taylor Swift put things on hold until 2021, but will that be the general rule of thumb when it comes to concerts for 2020?

During a roundtable discussion for The New York Times discussing whether or not it would be the best  to re-open the American economy within the next few months, healthcare expert Zeke Emanuel warned  that concerts, festivals and sporting events, may not return until "fall 2021 at the earliest".

"Certain kinds of construction, or manufacturing or offices, in which you can maintain six-foot distances are more reasonable to start sooner. Larger gatherings – conferences, concerts, sporting events – when people say they’re going to reschedule this conference or graduation event for October 2020, I have no idea how they think that’s a plausible possibility." Emanuel went on to say that, "I think those things will be the last to return. Realistically we’re talking fall 2021 at the earliest."

Some events, such as Coachella, are keeping some optimism for 2020 and have set a new go ahead date for October. Still, the  list of concert cancellations grows with each day across the country.

In addition to concerts, Broadway closed their doors early in March and have not indicated any reopening date as of yet. On all fronts, experts say, much will need to happen before giving the go ahead for business as usual on the live entertainment front.