When the first notes from George Thorogood’s guitar ring out inside the Walker Theatre on Tuesday night around 7:30, they will be the first heard in the building since the Heartstrings concert in Memorial Auditorium on March 10, 2020, and the Marc Broussard show on March 12, 2020 in the Walker, which is upstairs.
Tivoli Foundation Executive Director Nick Wilkinson said the recent uptick in COVID-19 cases is making everyone in the live music industry think in “real time and that policies are now subject to change on down the pike, but we are planning to move forward and we ask folks to make good decisions and follow CDC guidelines.”
The foundation sent out an email to patrons Saturday stating it recommends people attending live shows wear a mask when not eating or drinking, and that the situation is fluid and could change from show to show.
On Friday, the Moon River Festival in September in Chattanooga and Railbird Festival in Lexington, Kentucky, at the end of August, both owned by Live Nation, one of the largest entertainment companies in the world, announced all attendees will need to show proof of vaccination or a negative test result to attend.
Live Nation also produces or owns a number of tours and venues around the country, and on Friday afternoon it announced all of its shows will require proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test for entry. Effective Oct. 4, all Live Nation employees around the country must be vaccinated to work in its offices or to even enter one of its events or venues.