With COVID-19 cases up, concert locations are mostly requiring vaccination or negative test, but others leaving it up to guests

As live music continues to make its way back into our lives, there is some confusion surrounding music venues and their COVID-19 precautions.

Venues such as Riverbend Music Center and the Taft Theatre, along with all Cincinnati Arts Association locations, will start requiring proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test within a certain number of hours before an event.

Places such as Riverfront Live, 4343 Kellogg Ave., are following the lead of the larger venues by requiring proof of vaccination or a negative test within 72 hours of an event. Similarly, the areas newest concert venue, PromoWest Pavilion at Ovation, which opened Aug. 9, will adopt the same policy starting Oct. 1, in accordance with the new policy of Anschutz Entertainment Group (or AEG Worldwide), the venue’s owner.

Other venues are taking a more hands-off approach, putting the responsibility on guests to take safety precautions. One such venue is the Thompson House in Newport. We hope that people have enough respect for others to take the proper precautions for themselves and others,” General Manager Cameron Kidwell said.

Although many venues still aren’t requiring proof of vaccination or a negative test to attend an event, many artists are requiring the fans attending their concerts to be vaccinated. Maroon 5, who performed Aug. 28 at Riverbend, required their fans to be vaccinated or show a negative test to attend the show, several weeks ahead of the date that Riverbends overall policy takes effect.

If you are planning to attend an event, and with the pandemic conditions changing from week to week, check with the venue to find out its latest policies.