Thousands of people are heading to a concert in Liverpool for the latest Covid-19 safety pilot event.

The show headlined by indie band Blossoms is being held at Sefton Park for a crowd of 5,000.

It’s the first time people will be allowed to attend a gig for more than a year without social distancing. 

Ticket-holders were required to take a lateral flow test, which can produce a result within 30 minutes, at a local testing centre before entry, to trial the role such facilities could play in the return of large-scale events.

The gig-goers also had to provide contact details for NHS Test and Trace to ensure everyone could be reached in the event of a positive test.

Before the event Blossoms singer, Tom Ogden, told the BBC Breakfast: ‘We’re really excited just to play live.’

The band’s drummer Joe Donovan added: ‘It’s been closed for so long with very little support, if any support, so it will be nice to get back and kickstart it again. Get it back on track.’

Operating slightly below its capacity of 7,500, researchers on-site will examine the movements and behaviour of the crowd. 

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) said the audience will not be socially distanced or required to wear face coverings in the controlled setting of the test event, meaning people will be able to enjoy the experience without physical restraints.

Attendees will be asked to take a test after the event, as ministers and scientists look to assess the safety of outdoor settings for masses of people not wearing face masks.

The information gathered from events as part of the Events Research Programme will be crucial to how all venues – from major sport stadiums and theatres to wedding venues, conference centres and nightclubs – could operate safely this summer, DCMS said.

On Friday and Saturday, people were seen hugging, kissing and dancing shoulder-to-shoulder at the first legal club night for more than a year.

In total 3,000 clubbers descended on a warheouse at the docks in Liverpool.

The Covid-secure event was held to test whether it’s safe for large-scale, non-socially distanced nights-out to return.

The live concert at Sefton Park will also feature The Lathums and Liverpool singer-songwriter Zuzu.

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