JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – People were lined up early outside Daily’s Place on Friday night for the sold-out Machine Gun Kelly concert.
The concert marks the return of full-capacity live music events after more than a year.
“We’ve hosted more than 25 live AEW shows at Daily’s Place this past year and drive-in concerts as well, and we’re excited for the return of a full house for live music,” Chad Johnson with Bold Events said in a prepared statement.
Aliyah Holmes and her friends drove about 15 hours from Jackson, Michigan to attend the concert.
“I’ve got my masks and stuff, got my hand sanitizer,” Holmes said.
Brianna Daly and her friends came down from Atlanta.
“I’m a nurse myself so I don’t mind wearing a mask. I wear a mask 13 hours a day,” Daly said.
Face coverings were encouraged and all concessions were cashless. Hand sanitizing stations were placed throughout the venue.
We are back. pic.twitter.com/797DJbCuIf
— Lenny Curry (@lennycurry) April 24, 2021
Notably, a blockbuster UFC event will be held Saturday night at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena at max capacity. It’s the city’s first live sports event with a sellout crowd since the pandemic began.
There will be safety protocols in place at the UFC event, according to the promoter’s website. Besides signing a waiver, ticket holders will be required to fill out a COVID-19 questionnaire in advance of the event. This measure is intended to streamline fans’ entry into the arena.
The events come roughly a month after Mayor Lenny Curry allowed Jacksonville’s mask mandate to expire. The measure, which required anyone over the age of 6 to wear a mask in public indoor settings, is now optional, except in cases where businesses require customers and employees to wear masks.