They always say "all great art is born out of suffering". In the case of live events this year, you can say "all creative concert venues are born out of a pandemic".

Marking itself as the first socially-distanced concert venue, The Virgin Money Unity Arena has transformed the Newcastle Racecourse into a 2,500 capacity event space, which most recently hosted their first concert featuring British indie-rock act Sam Fender. 

In the advent of COVID-19 which inadvertently halted the live music industry, the team behind Newcastle's This is Tomorrow festival and SSD Concerts conjured up this safe environment to enjoy live music again. On 11 August, the venue saw full attendance for the 'Will We Talk?' singer. The 2,500 attendees were separated into 500 elevated platforms, spaced two metres apart. In every sense of the word, it's was a live concert - just minus the stuffy and sweaty crowds.

YES NEWCASTLE 👑 #VMUnityArena 🚀 pic.twitter.com/mZqC6kwkml

— Virgin Money Unity Arena (@VMUnityArena) August 11, 2020

This marks a new era for live events, with many similar concert concepts rising up across the globe. Earlier in the year, Denmark saw the arrival of drive-in concerts; while most recently, Thailand witnessed its first Tuk Tuk Drive-in festival. 

Performing hits from his highly-acclaimed album Hypersonic Missiles, Sam Fender is the first of many in The Virgin Money Unity Arena's concert series. Well-known British acts like Van Morrison, The Libertines, Two Door Cinema Club, and more are set to take the socially-distanced stage soon.

Throughout the event, attendees couldn't help but share this "new normal" on social media, with many in awe of the event precautions while others expressed the delight of finally being in the presence of live music. Check out what some social media users, including Irish TV host Eoghan McDermott, had to say:

Newcastle yesterday. Socially distant open-air gig with reserved platforms for every group. Managed bar queues, contactless only payment. If this is safely workable and sounds good to government, let's get it going before an industry collapses. pic.twitter.com/SnQwVK3WT3

— Eoghan McDermott (@eoghanmcdermo) August 12, 2020

Sam Fender live in Newcastle tonight - the first socially distanced large scale concert. Very civilised. Seems to work. 600 pens with 5 family/friends per pen. Sensible loo/bar/food arrangements. It’s the future! And least for the foreseeable...... pic.twitter.com/WN0NJsyCXc

— Brian Ham (@_BrianHam) August 11, 2020

The first socially distanced concert was absolutely surreal but really well thought out. Sam Fender was amazing 🙌🏻 pic.twitter.com/RtUeNLZhtq

— alisha henry (@alishamhenry) August 11, 2020

The first in a series of socially-distanced concerts at Gosforth Park, Newcastle, which was kicked off by Brit Awards winner Sam Fender.

The gig had a one-way system, food could be pre-ordered to avoid queuing, and facemasks were required when leaving the private pitches. pic.twitter.com/n2voOYATwR

— Balaji Duraisamy (@balajidtweets) August 13, 2020

So excited for Sam Fender tomorrow 🥳 My first concert in over 5 months! When I heard about the socially distanced platforms I was buzzing! Can’t wait to experience the first dedicated socially distanced venue & share my thoughts on it afterwards🕺 It’ll be an experience for sure

— Gordo (@Gordyjs_97) August 12, 2020

Of course, with the pandemic still wreaking havoc in major parts of the world, many still express concern for live gigs regardless of how socially distanced they are. 

So excited for Sam Fender tomorrow 🥳 My first concert in over 5 months! When I heard about the socially distanced platforms I was buzzing! Can’t wait to experience the first dedicated socially distanced venue & share my thoughts on it afterwards🕺 It’ll be an experience for sure

— Gordo (@Gordyjs_97) August 12, 2020

This honestly makes me nauseous .https://t.co/0Ne6gt0Jzh

— An Síbín 🎙 (@AnSibinLive) August 12, 2020

Nevertheless, this is a trailblazing moment for the live music industry in this age of COVID-19.

"The Geordies are the trailblazers on whatever this new thing is. We are the first to this. We should take pride in it" 🚀 @samfendermusic - Unity Arena 2020. 👑 pic.twitter.com/ZJHH01MLqe

— Virgin Money Unity Arena (@VMUnityArena) August 12, 2020

Check out the schedule for the rest of the venue's concert series here, with performances up until 13 September:

The Arena is ready, are you Newcastle?

FINAL TICKETS FOR ALL SHOWS HERE 🎟️ https://t.co/ySQbZPpGaZ 🎟️#VMUnityArena @VirginMoney pic.twitter.com/eLubJhJcrr

— Virgin Money Unity Arena (@VMUnityArena) August 13, 2020