Think Festivals Can't Work In COVID Times? Last Week's Major Event Should Change Your Mind

Last year's announcement of the COVID-safe Summer Sounds music festival raised many questions about how - or if - a festival could operate with the pandemic restrictions in place. 

Fortunately - and what live music fans should be taking as an encouraging sign - the first Summer Sounds events were a huge success.

The first three of 18 dates took place last weekend in Adelaide with sets from the likes of Bernard Fanning, The Jungle Giants, Something For Kate, Allday and TOWNS, with festival co-producer Daniel Michael telling The Music saying the debut events showed festivals can operate during COVID with "collaboration between different groups and spreading the costs out over a month".

"It’s certainly not easy but this one has been well received."

Another interesting feature of the Summer Sounds events is the introduction of Party Pods, which have been described as “an island oasis for a group of 4 or 6 people” that is “decked out with its own esky of pre-ordered drinks and tasty snacks”.

"[Punters] love them," Michael said.

"Drinks being delivered has been well received and something we didn’t think about is that due to the spacing even shorter people have amazing views all the time!"

So well received were the pods, that Michael said, "I think the pods will form part of our VIP experience in future years and I also like the idea of pre ordered drinks, saves service time and people can plan ahead".

The next round of Summer Sounds shows go ahead this week again at Bonython Park with sets confirmed from acts including Mallrat and Cub Sport. 

For more details, check out theGuide.