With venues already shutting and staff looking for alternative employment, Ally says it's important to try to find a way around the current situation, both for fans and the industry.
“There’s not a one-size-fits-all solution here, but I’ve certainly got the capability to deliver an incredibly safe experience for customers, who have been starved of something they’re dying to watch again, and give acts the platform to play live again in a really good venue that actually feels like a show,” he said. “So let’s get something going, let’s get some acts in, try and bring some agents on board. Let’s try and work with some promoters and bring people’s heads around to an ‘in between’ stage of live music that doesn’t have to be shrouded in the financial doom and gloom of the bigger picture because, ultimately, all the customers want is a night out.”
Taking a positive view, Ally points to necessity being the mother of invention. In this case, that means trying out new gig formats that deliver quality and fun while also balancing the books. Make that work, and venues have a much better chance.
“The people that are going to get ahead in this game now are either the people that are incredibly rich and can ride it out, or the people who are going to innovate and try and build back from the ground up.
“And that, I feel, is what the next step is for the Grand — and I’m sure it’s probably the next step for a lot of people.”
READ THIS: What It Was Like Playing A Socially-Distanced Metal Concert