New Zealand’s Eden Park hosts post-Covid gig for 50,000

Last weekend, Eden Park in Auckland hosted possibly the largest live music event to take place since the pandemic began. 

More than 50,000 fans attended the concert performed by New Zealand band Six60 on Saturday 24 April, which was also streamed live to 11 Pacific Island countries.

As New Zealand currently has no social distancing rules in place, the concert was safely played to a full crowd, without the requirement to wear masks. 

This was also the very first concert to take place at Eden Park. As New Zealand’s national stadium, the venue is best known for hosting rugby union and cricket matches, but was recently granted permission to hold up to six concerts a year.

Last weekend’s historic concert doubled up as the final night of Six60’s country-wide tour. 

With many concerts and festivals around the world cancelled or postponed throughout 2020 and 2021, Six60’s Eden Park gig marks a step towards the return of live music. 

Various trial events are taking place around the world in the coming months in the hope of a widespread return to live music events. These include a mask-free outdoor festival due to take place at Liverpool’s Sefton Park on 2 May as part of the UK government’s Events Research Programme (ERP).