This Is Going To Be The Largest Live Gig Since The Circuit Breaker With 500 Attendees
![Back To Live will include stars and newcomers like Narelle, THELIONCITYBOY and KEYANA (Credit: Courtesy of Collective Minds, Lenne Chai [KEYANA])](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5bcc4044348cd95e1711b02c/1607663759970-OAIHJJBKLELK0FTKAL1Q/life-in-arpeggio-back-to-live-concerts-circuit-breaker-singapore-01.jpg)
Back To Live will include stars and newcomers like Narelle, THELIONCITYBOY and KEYANA (Credit: Courtesy of Collective Minds, Lenne Chai [KEYANA])
Over a month after it was announced that live gigs were coming back, we’re finally starting to see some progress – and it’s a major development that’s far exceeding expectations. Like a phoenix from the ashes, the live concert experience returns courtesy of AEG Presents, Collective Minds and Marina Bay Sands, with a two-day, full-scale extravaganza aptly called Back To Live. The Sands Theatre will host a star-studded roster of local pop, r&b and hip-hop stalwarts and newcomers, including Benjamin Kheng, Sezairi, Narelle, THELIONCITYBOY and Linying (on 18 December); along with Charlie Lim, KEYANA, and Aisyah Aziz (on 19 December). It’s an exceptional lineup for sure, but what’s more outstanding is the context and execution of the big event.
(Credit: Collective Minds)
Previously, it’d been announced that indoor performances could only have two zones of 50 members each. Back To Live, however, is officially allowed to have a maximum audience of 500, five times the original proposed amount. As it turns out, the breakthrough event has the backing of Singapore Tourism Board and the Ministry Of Health – which has roped Back To Live into a Pre-Event Testing (PET) Pilot programme – signifying the government’s stronger support in bringing live music back to the city. It’s a refreshing move considering the authorities’ notoriously conservative approach, and it’ll definitely help speed up the revival of the arts if this event goes well.
Linying give the gig an indie-pop edge (Credit: Jovian Lim)
For its success, Back To Live is implementing the full breadth of social distancing and COVID-testing measures to ensure a safe environment for all spectators. The audience will be split into zones with fewer than 50 people at any one time, with seated groups limited to a maximum of five people within with no intermingling. All attendees can only enter via the TraceTogether App or Token, and must produce a valid negative Antigen Rapid Test (ART) or Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) result.
In case you’re wondering, you don't have to pay extra to get the test done. Priced at $55 (one-day) and $98 (two-day), tickets will automatically include a free ART Test, and a valid negative certificate must be shown together with the e-ticket for entry (refunds will be given to those tested positive). One-day ticket holders will be given information on appointment bookings at designated clinics, while two-day holders will undergo on-site testing at Marina Bay Sands for both days of the event. You can read the full details of this process here.
You might think that all this is a big risk. But just imagine the significance if all this does work. Back To Live is set to be the largest live gig since the Circuit Breaker, and if it can pull this off without any hitches, the industry will be one step closer to the normalcy we all miss dearly.
Back To Live, 18-19 December 2020, Sands Theatre at Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Avenue, Singapore 018956. For more details on ticket and entry information, visit the event website.
