Chinese social media shocked as huge concerts go ahead in UK amid coronavirus pandemic
- Welsh band the Stereophonics held three UK concerts in front of tens of thousands of fans last weekend
- This was despite the growing spread of the coronavirus in Britain, and Chinese social media showed its utter shock
Chinese social media users have been left stunned after seeing images of large-scale concerts held by Welsh band the Stereophonics that went ahead in the UK despite the country’s escalating coronavirus crisis.
Although concerts have been cancelled throughout China and the rest of Asia for months, and large festivals such as Coachella and South by Southwest called off in the United States, the Stereophonics performed in Manchester last Friday, and in Cardiff last Saturday and Sunday, packing tens of thousands of people into the shows.
Even many fans of the band were surprised that the shows went ahead as Britain’s confirmed coronavirus cases were approaching 2,000 and 60 people had died in the country.
An image from the Manchester show posted on the band’s official Facebook page, with the caption “Thank you Manchester”, attracted comments such as “I love Stereophonics but this is just irresponsible” and “These progressive countries can’t believe a crisis can happen to them”.
The Welsh band defended their decision to go ahead with the concerts in a statement to British music magazine the NME.
“Along with the rest of the country, we watched the prime minister and chief science and medical officer brief the nation on Thursday evening regarding the government’s policy and advice on coronavirus. The UK government’s position was that at this phase there was no need for a ban on large public gatherings.
“Acting on this guidance, we continued with the last three shows of our UK tour on Friday, Saturday and Sunday as did many other events across the entertainment industry.”
However, other British bands such as Blossoms and Idles have postponed events and tours across the UK due to the coronavirus pandemic.
