If you had a ticket for a big summer gig or festival this year, and haven't yet gotten a refund for it - at least one person is optimistic about the prospect of large-scale gigs taking place next summer.
True, that person is the CEO of the biggest live music promotions company on the planet and has everything to gain by making such a prediction, but still.
Michael Rapino of promotion titans Live Nation had previously predicted a 'robust' return to live music for next year - which would certainly be good news for him, considering revenue is down a whopping 95.1% in the third quarter of 2020. In his latest comments, he has doubled-down on his prediction by claiming that the company plans to return to producing shows 'at scale' in 2021 - dependent on where in the world you are.
IQ mag report that Rapino held a conversation with Live Nation investors and analysts in recent days, and said that they were working on a “roadmap to get back to live safely”, with "progress on testing technology treatments and vaccines” giving hope - as well as being encouraged by the small number of music fans who had asked for refunds on their tickets.
He added that the company “expect[s] shows at scale next summer”, although the "exact timeline of this return will vary by region, and so we continue to focus on remaining flexible.”
Many big gigs in Ireland - some of which are operated by Live Nation, including Electric Picnic, while the company also bought Irish promoters MCD - have been rescheduled for 2021, although it remains to be seen whether they will go ahead.
It seems, judging by our poll earlier this year, that people's willingness to attend mass events again depends on the availability of a vaccine.
Either way, it looks like we'll have to wait and see whether Rapino's prediction comes true.
