Spain is lifting its lockdown, with outdoor concerts allowed from Monday

Like many countries around the world, Spain is to begin loosening its lockdown measures next week. And in news that could well raise the spirits of restless live music lovers, authorities have set out a detailed plan of how the country’s nightlife economy could function in the socially-distant new order. By early June, the government says it will allow outdoor events to take place – as long as they’re fully seated, distanced and host no more than 800 people.

As part of the easing of lockdown restrictions, indoor music venues with a capacity of more than 90 can welcome up to 30 guests from May 11. All indoor events spaces, including smaller ones, will be allowed up to 50 attendees from May 25 and 80 attendees from June 8 – as long as those numbers don’t exceed a third of their normal capacity.

Meanwhile, open-air events for 200 people will be allowed to take place from May 11, as long as they’re seated and have appropriate physical-distancing measures in place. This will rise to a maximum capacity of 400 from May 25, and 800 from June 8.

Though this might all appear to be positive news for Spain’s live music industry, promoters say such drastic restrictions on capacity will make hosting both indoor and outdoor gigs financially unviable for most venues.

A spokesperson for APM, a Spanish promoters’ association, told IQ: ‘Most of the promoters will not be able to do their events. In reality, these capacity reductions cannot be applied, because the events were planned with all expenses and income already calculated before the state of alarm was implemented.’

So despite these new freedoms, Spain’s struggling venues may have to keep quiet for some time.

Most popular on Time Out

- This Amsterdam restaurant is opening private greenhouses for socially-distant dining
- Daniel Radcliffe is reading Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone from his sofa
- Greece could reopen to tourists in July
- You can rent the Italian villa from 'Normal People' on Airbnb
- Andrew Lloyd Webber's biggest musicals are streaming free on YouTube for a limited time