The latest rules for live music and events in Northern Ireland

The NI Executive shared a statement on Thursday outlining the next steps in Northern Ireland's Pathway to Recovery.

It read: "While we have come a long way the public health situation remains fragile, with the Delta variant being a cause for significant concern."

"It will be important to monitor the progression of this, and other variants, very closely and examine the emerging data on the impacts of previous relaxations on the course of the epidemic."

Our next indicative date to look forward to is 21st June, which should see the return of live music and an increase to numbers allowed indoors.

We've broken down the latest set of relaxations from yesterday's review.

From 21 June, subject to review on 17 June:

Home and community

• Indoor gatherings in a domestic setting of 10 people from no more than two households. If one household has 10 members, the maximum is increased to 15 from no more than two households. (Does not include children 12 and under)

• Permit outdoor gatherings in a domestic setting of 15 people from an unlimited number of households. (Does not include children 12 and under)

• Remove the linked households/bubble provision

Outdoor gatherings

• Outdoor gatherings to the maximum allowed as per risk assessment for venue across all sectors. Over 30 people must be an organised gathering and would require a risk assessment

Close contact services

• Enable close contact services to open without appointments but with remaining mitigations

Live music

• In licensed and unlicensed premises which provide or sell food and drink for consumption on the premises, permit live music at background or ambient levels; the volume must be such to enable visitors to conduct a conversation at normal loudness of speech

• No dancing permitted

• At outdoor events permit live music and dancing, without restriction to background or ambient levels

• Permit live music, without restriction to background or ambient levels for rehearsal, recording or performance purposes in concert venues, theatres and other indoor venues which, for the duration of the rehearsal, recording or performance are set aside for that purpose

• No dancing for the audience but permitted as part of the performance

• Permit live music, without restriction to background or ambient levels for “other indoor venues” - can include a space within larger premises – for example, a function room or conference suite within a hotel. In such circumstances, access to the venue must be effectively controlled and managed and the venue must be sufficiently isolated from the rest of the premises to ensure that the volume of the music in the venue does not breach ambient or background levels in other parts of the premises

• Entry to performances for audiences will be by ticket only and must be purchased in advance of the performance - audiences for indoor events must have allocated seating and must remain seated (unless using facilities)

• Social distancing at a minimum of one metre will be required for live music related activity in indoor seated venues and will be advised for all outdoor events

• Messaging will be developed around the travel to and from such events to inform the public of the safer options

From 1 July 2021, subject to review on 17 June:

Education and young people

• A restart of overnight residentials for youth services as part of the continued phased reopening of youth services to facilitate delivery of the summer youth programme as part of the continued phased reopening of youth services

From 22 July 2021, subject to review on 15 July:

Live music

• Remove any restrictions on live music and dancing in licensed and unlicensed premises which provide or sell food and drink (whether or not including intoxicating liquor) for consumption on the premise

Check out some of the biggest gigs and concerts scheduled later this year:

Read more:

How to pick up a golden ticket for Picture This at Belsonic

Joel Corry to headline summer festival at Glenarm Castle

Tom Grennan announces Ulster Hall gig for early 2022

How to listen to Downtown Country:

Tune into Northern Ireland’s number 1 for Country music, Downtown Country on online, on the Rayo app, your DAB radio, or say ‘Play Downtown Country’ on your Smart Speaker. We play you the best Irish and American country music, from Victoria Quinn in the morning, to Big T’s legendary evening Country show.

• Belfast Gigs
• restrictions easing
• summer 2021
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