Utilita Live From The Drive-In concerts planned for Teesside International Airport cancelled due to 'concerns over localised lockdowns'

Sigala and Tony Hadley, The Streets, Gary Newman, The Lightning Seeds, Russell Watson and Dizzee Rascal were all set to play gigs at the airport as part a six-week programme of live performances at venues across the country starting from this month and running into September.

The programme was also due to feature West End theatre performances, comedians, blockbuster films, interactive science shows and children’s TV stars, with morning, afternoon, early evening and late evening performances planned.

Around 300 cars were to be allowed into each show.

Organiser Live Nation said it had put together the series to give people a chance to enjoy concerts and live music from the comfort of their cars with the same arena or stadium feel that fans have been missing, with the performances on the airport’s land to take place on a specially-constructed stage with the backdrop of its main runway, with no disruption to flights.

But in a statement released on the website of Utilita, the energy firm which backed the concerts, confirmed the cancellation of the shows and said: “Utilita Live From The Drive-In series will no longer take place in the summer of 2020.

"We had worked tirelessly on exciting plans for what was promising to be a fantastic couple of months of entertainment across the UK.

"However, we fully understand and support the necessary decision to cancel due to concerns over localised lockdowns.

“We look forward to the time music brings us all together again.”

Teesside International Airport was the only venue in the North East to be chosen by the organisers.

The other 11 were Leeds East Airport; Lincolnshire Showground; Central Docks, Liverpool Waters; University of Bolton Stadium; The Royal Highland Centre, Newbridge; Cheltenham Racecourse, Filton Airfield, Bristol; Newmarket Racecourse; The National Bowl, Milton Keynes; the Resorts World Arena and two in London.

Live Nation said it planned to adopt “enhanced safety measures to help attendees stay safe” but added “the risk cannot be completely eliminated” adding people should follow the Government guidance on the virus.

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