Cruïlla will be the first massive festival without social distancing in Europe

BarcelonaCruïlla will return to the Parc del Fòrum on 8, 9 and 10 July in a festival that will be very reminiscent of the old days: 25,000 people each day, without social distancing, with the possibility of drinking and eating outside limited enclosures, but with masks and a negative antigen test. It will be the first massive festival to be held in Europe. In Catalonia, it will take place after Canet Rock, which will only last one day and which 22,000 people will attend. Vida Festival will also be held on the same weekend as Canet Rock and will last three days, but the capacity will be much smaller.

Cruïlla will host 25,000 people each day, who will have to undergo an antigen test beforehand. Attendees will assume only a part of the extra cost: for the one-day ticket they will have to pay €8.5 and for the two-day ticket €12, while for the full three-day ticket the extra cost will be €15. The tests will take place at Barcelona International Convention Centre, adjacent to the Forum site, and a negative result will allow access to the concerts. The public will always have to wear an FFP2 mask, except when drinking or eating, but will not have to keep distances, according to ACN.

The screening spaces will be open from 15 to 22 h with prior reservation to take the test. People with a positive test result, people living with them, people with a body temperature above 37 degrees or those in quarantine will not be allowed to enter the concert. All will receive a refund of their tickets or season tickets. Those who have been vaccinated must also undergo an antigen test, as well as children aged 7 and over and festival workers. It will be possible to eat outside the catering areas, but masks will have to be worn when not eating or drinking

Possibilist line-up

In statements to ACN, the director of Cruïlla, Jordi Herreruela, acknowledges that they have an "organisational challenge" on their hands, but that they are already moving in the musical field in which "they are used to working". The festival maintains its commitment to Catalan and Spanish artists, with names such as Izal, La Casa Azul, Carolina Durante, Amaral, Dorian, Kase.0, Manel, Sopa de Cabra and Delafé, but without renouncing international bands like Editors, Two Door Cinema Club, Morcheeba and Tom Walker. According to Herreruela, "aware of the difficulties they were facing", they picked artists who can perform in Barcelona without being subjected to a tour with "dozens of dates".

Nor does he rule out that, if in the coming weeks health conditions improve, there will be changes in the protocol. "We feel more and more confident," he reflected. According to Herreruela, covid-19 crisis will lead to a new type of event with more quality and less quantity of public, an environment in which "they feel comfortable and the public responds to them". "In this we have an advantage because we have been committed to this model for years," he concluded.