Live Music Returns to Atlanta

The time has come. Most people who want COVID vaccines have them. Atlanta, Georgia is ready to return to having live music.

@mattagarr
SHOWS ARE BACK BABY! I shot my first ##concert in over a year the other day and I’m just so excited to be back. ##musictiktok ##livemusic
♬ Sunlight - Stay Here

Live music concerts have begun to be announced, tour dates are being posted near-daily, and some of us have already bought tickets to festivals all up and down the east coast, despite our wallets and budgeting applications screaming at us, begging for mercy.

No one’s stoppin’ me from seeing Chevelle. No one.

Where to Go for Live Music in Atlanta

A lot of my photography clients from weddings or graduations are new to Atlanta, and have been here through the pandemic - so they don’t know about the different venues in the area. So here’s a few places to check for new shows now that COVID is coming to a close in America.

The Masquerade - most of the shows I work are here. I love the staff and the shared courtyard is awesome. I’m going to have a moment when I get back here. I can only hope the vegan hot dog cart returns. I’ll be shooting some concerts here as soon as this week.
Bogg’s Social and Supply - one of the bands I worked with recently, Sarah and the Safe Word, is playing here in August, and there are tons of events between now and then for people to enjoy.
The Coca Cola Roxy / The Tabernacle - The LiveNation venues around these parts. Your favorite comedians and bands probably roll through here.
Center Stage - 3 venues in one, just like the Masquerade. I got booted here once, but I’ve seen a lot of great shows here too.
The Variety Playhouse - Limited parking, but an easy Uber or bus ride from most places in the city. Get food in Little Five Points before.
If you’re into arenas, you can enjoy events at The Battery and State Farm Arena.

Is It Safe to Go Back to Shows?

If you’ve got your vaccine, I don’t see much to worry about that didn’t exist before. I imagine there are going to be some security tussles over proper masking for a few weeks, and eventually they’ll probably give up on it, but I don’t imagine many shows are going to get rebooked.

If you’re worried about being in close proximity to people who didn’t treat the pandemic seriously, make sure you’re vaccinated and try to keep a KN95/N95 mask on. Stay away from people who are being loud and complaining about mask policies, as they’re likely to get kicked out or start fights. You don’t want to be caught up with them in the pit.

You can argue about not wanting to keep a mask on in the comments and I’ll ignore you. Wear your mask if the venue requires it. If they don’t, no worries if you don’t want to. But you probably should, as even with the vaccine you can still contract and spread COVID-19 - it’s just less likely.

Keep up-to-date with the CDC’s recommendations on the Georgia Department of Public Health’s website.

What Will This Year Look Like for Live Music?

Fall and Winter will be stacked in the US. Every rescheduled tour will finally be able to stay on-target. However, a lot of your favorite artists, especially international artists, will probably keep their dates in 2022.

Start saving up for concert tickets. And if you see me and my green hair in the photo pit at a show, wait until I’m done and say hello to me! I’m excited to get back to doing what I love doing, which is capturing memories - especially at concerts!

Some venues are already doing test-runs by booking local shows to try and find out if there are any equipment failures, get staff retrained before the big shows come through, and get everyone used to the upcoming festivals and dates.

I was privileged enough to be at The Masquerade’s first show back after the pandemic, and I was able to test all the new photo gear I’ve been obtaining over the pandemic in a live environment.