Thousands dance mask-free at UK live music festival trial

The event tested crowd safety at live events before the planned lifting of restrictions in June

People enjoy their time during a test music festival in Liverpool on May 2, 2021. Reuters

The festival was part of a national research programme assessing the risk of Covid-19 transmission . Reuters

5,000 people attended the festival in Sefton Park. Reuters

British band Blossoms performs during the test music festival. Reuters

The band played the UK's first live gig since the third lockdown was lifted. Reuters

Festival goers had to take a Covid-19 test before entering the festival. Reuters

A staff member wearing a face mask looks on during a test music festival. Reuters

A staff member wearing a face mask looks on at the crowd. Reuters

People dance at the UK's first post-lockdown music festival. Reuters

People queue to enter a test music festival as part of a national research programme. Reuters

Security check the bags of festival goers at Liverpool's Sefton Park. Reuters

The crowd enjoy a Blossoms gig at Liverpool's Sefton Park. Reuters

Thousands danced without face coverings at a music festival in northern England as the UK government permitted the country's first post-lockdown gig.

A crowd of 5,000 people cheered, danced and sang along to performances from bands including English indie pop act Blossoms at the sold-out event on Sunday at Liverpool's Sefton Park.

The festival was part of a pilot project by the UK government called the Events Research Programme (ERP) to test crowd safety at live events ahead of planned lifting of restrictions on June 21.

Hugging a group of friends outside the concert tent, Matt Berry said they were "getting back to doing normal things that normal people do ... finally"

"I think it is good to get it all started again to test if it can all work for summer, and if it will all go ahead in the summer as well," said another concert-goer, Freya Begley.

The government has previously allowed limited numbers of supporters to attend sports events such as the FA Cup semifinal at Wembley.

Researchers are monitoring how well different approaches to social distancing and ventilation work.

All those attending the two-day concert had to take lateral flow coronavirus tests before entering the venue and will also have to take another test afterwards.

They have to give their contact details to the state-funded health service so they can be traced if they test positive.

The bands performed in a tent. At the entrance to the venue, audience members had to show QR codes and Covid-19 test results.

"There is no reason why anyone should catch anything so I am at ease with everything, I am excited!" said Jess Davis, as she arrived at the gig.

The prestigious Brit Awards ceremony on Tuesday, May 11 will also allow 4,000 people to attend London's O2 Arena as long as they have a negative test result.

The UK has given more than 34 million people a first vaccine dose and there are currently 1,451 people in hospital with the virus according to the latest government figures.