The two main promoters of concerts in Quebec, Quebecor and the Summer Festival, will take the time to study the call for tenders from the Ministry of Tourism before deciding whether they will take part in the test-show project.
• Read also: A test concert on the Plains
“At the moment, we know very little about the ins and outs of the project. The call for tenders that will be posted will give us the chance to determine if we can collaborate, ”said FEQ’s communications director, Samantha McKinley.
While abstaining from commenting, Quebecor Sport and Entertainment indicated that it intended to adopt the same strategy.
Otherwise, the holding of a test event receives a unanimous favorable reception.
“We’ve been saying for months that we need one. There have been several in Europe, but the dimension that was lacking and which for us is essential is the exterior. Considering that it went well in Europe, inside, I don’t see why it would not go very well outside ”, declared the general director of the Network of major international events, Martin Roy.
Essential data
For the founder of REFRAIN (Group of independent regional artistic festivals), this experience is essential even if it comes too late in the year for summer festivals.
“Eventually, if there are other pandemics, we won’t be able to close everything every time. […] What the government is doing with scientists is to prepare, to take the right measures, ”said Patrick Kearney.
Like Martin Roy, he believes outdoor gatherings are not dangerous, despite a recent outbreak of 1,000 cases at a festival in the Netherlands.
He cites as an example the crowds that gathered around the Bell Center during the elimination round of the Montreal Canadiens.
“There were what, 10,000 people each time?” And it was not framed. If it had had an impact, we would be totally in trouble. ”
—With Raphaël Gendron-Martin
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