With governments in both Westminster and Holyrood poised to confirm further measures to combat the spread of the Coronavirus, there is sliver of hope for the future of live performances after the announcement of a partial return of audiences to two major venues that host brass band events.

Mixed

However, the news from Perth Concert, home to the Scottish Championships and Scottish Festival of Brass, and Sage Gateshead, host of the Brass in Concert Championships, is still mixed.

In announcing that Perth is hoping to some live audience events in the Autumn, with the possibility of more regular performances in February 2021, Horsecross Arts chief executive Nick Williams was still "very sceptical"that they would be able to open fully any time soon, leaving them with the "difficulty in planning for anything at the moment."

Substantive staff cuts had also been undertaken and that there was great concern over the "vast costs"associated with PPE protection and cleaning in order to open in a secure manner.

Job cuts

Meanwhile, Sage Gateshead has announced a seven-week series of reduced number live performances from late October, although with the safety of audiences, artists and staff had been at the forefront of planning.

However the venue has also announced that 110 members of its 500 strong staff were to be made redundant, and that it was still to hear if it will receive anything from the recently announced £1.57 billion arts recovery fund.

It faces a £10 million loss since lockdown, and whilst the news of the opening in the main Sage auditorium to audiences has been welcomed, only 300 of 1,700 seats will be used while the auditorium and public areas have social distancing measures in place.

Ticketholders can only attend in their household, care bubble and support bubble group.

However, the news from Perth Concert, home to the Scottish Championships and Scottish Festival of Brass, and Sage Gateshead, host of the Brass in Concert Championships, is still mixed4BR

Determined

A spokesperson told BBC News: "Each and every one of the team are highly skilled and dedicated, and it is with deep regret that 110 of our friends and colleagues will be leaving us.

We know that music and culture have a role to play in the city and the region's recovery and we are determined to contribute to this."