Scene + Heard: Weekend entertainment round-up

Des O’Driscoll rounds up some of the latest news from the entertainment world.

COVID CRISIS: Always a precarious existence for those outside the top tier, the spread of Covid-19 has ensured a worrying time for anybody working in the events sphere.

As well as the promoters and venues themselves, it’s also worth noting that many of those who work in related jobs in the area could find their incomes severely affected as more events get cancelled.

And how do you organise a summer event not knowing how the impact of the virus is going to unfold in the coming months? Upcoming gigs in Ireland by the likes of Santana and The Who were just two of the casualties of the crisis, with the closure of such venues such as Cork Opera House and the National Concert Hall obviously wiping out many gigs.

Useful information
• The HSE have developed an information pack on how to protect yourself and others from coronavirus. Read it here
• Anyone with symptoms of coronavirus who has been in close contact with a confirmed case in the last 14 days should isolate themselves from other people - this means going into a different, well-ventilated room alone, with a phone; phone their GP, or emergency department - if this is not possible, phone 112 or 999 and in a medical emergency (if you have severe symptoms) phone 112 or 999

Short-term, such cancellations look an obvious, sensible measure.

In the longer term, this could all have a major effect on sections of the arts and entertainment industry — and those who work there — that were already treading a fine line in terms of economic viability.

GIG WISE: The lineup for Electric Picnic (Sept 4-6) was the big announcement this week, with organisers of the sold-out Stradbally event probably breathing a sigh of relief that they have some time to play with as the Covid-19 crisis plays out.

We had already known about Rage Against the Machine’s appearance, but some of the other interesting headliners on the bill include Snow Patrol, Chemical Brothers, and Lewis Capaldi.

Here's your first look at the #EP20 line up! Rage Against The Machine / @snowpatrol / @ChemBros / @picturethis / @LewisCapaldi / @AnnieMac / @feelmybicep / @foals + many more!

Explore the line up in full here: https://t.co/OltZpMkFim pic.twitter.com/4Wz3CrxMXP

— Electric Picnic (@EPfestival) March 11, 2020

Longitude really has cornered the market for hip-hop acts, but Picnic also has a smattering of mid-level urban artists with the likes of Skepta, Denzel Curry and Mabel.

While other artists are cancelling gigs, John Grant is actually expanding his summer tour with the announcement of a second gig at St Lukes in Cork for Thursday, July 16, following the sell-out of his show the following night.

Bulmers Live at Leopardstown has also announced it will take place at the racecourse through June 4 - August 13. Obviously, nobody can predict where we’ll be by the time summer comes around... watch this space.

FILM TIPS: As part of effort to keep customers coming to cinemas at this stage of the virus crisis, the Omniplex group has introduced some new measures.

Omniplex, which includes the Mahon Point cinema, says every second seat will remain unoccupied, tickets will be self-scanned, cleaning has been increased, etc.

Among the decent films on general release this weekend is Calm With Horses, an Irish crime thriller starring Barry Keoghan, right.

Other options include Misbehaviour, the true tale of the 1970 Miss World competition in London that was interrupted by women demonstrating against the event.

Triskel in Cork has also introduced reduced capacity seating and other safety measures, and its roster from Sunday includes HP Lovecraft adaptation Colour Out of Space, and French film Portrait of a Lady on Fire.

ON THE TELLY: You’d imagine TV shows and streaming services could be an area that will benefit by self-isolation regimes, and Disney+ have picked the ideal launch date of March 24.

Decent options over the weekend include Miles Davis: Birth of the Cool (BBC Two, Saturday), which explores the life and music of the jazz great who died in 1991.

A Quiet Place is on Channel 4 tomorrow, with the sci-fi horror nicely timed in advance of the release of the sequel next week.

Westworld (Sky Atlantic, Monday) also returns for a third series, with more of the action of the convoluted drama now taking place outside the park.