Minister Catherine Martin welcomes first pilot nightclub event taking place in the Button Factory tonight

A pilot nightclub event is set to take place in the Button Factory in Dublin tonight – featuring Cailín, R.Kitt, Sunil Sharpe, DART, Kelly Anne Byrne, Sim Simma, Breen, Cáit and Sam Greenwood.

It's the first event of its kind in more than 18 months.

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin TD, has welcomed the event, which is part of a series of pilot events in the arts and culture sector.

Tonight's event is being rolled out by Hidden Agenda Ltd/District 8, in consultation with Give Us The Night.

“I am delighted to be supporting this pilot event tonight," Minister Martin commented today. "This is the first indoor nightclub event in more than 18 months and is an important step as we prepare for a further reopening in October.

“The Report of the Night-Time Economy Taskforce, which was published earlier this month, highlights the importance of the electronic music sector and club culture. I believe that this is a small step forward in providing support to this sector as they plan their reopening, and tonight’s event also highlights some of the wonderful talent that we have in Ireland."

Noting that there "are many challenges ahead for the live performance sector, particularly in a post Covid-19 context," the Minister went on to state that "it is essential that we continue to learn from pilots such as this one. This pilot is important for this industry to help it plan for a safe full reopening on 22 October, subject to the public health situation.”

Among the aims of the event is to help work out the logistics around ticketing, venue admittance, the impact of antigen testing, and ventilation to ensure a safe and financially sustainable reopening of the nightclub sector.

Tonight will be a fully standing show, with a 60% capacity. According to a statement from the Department, attendees will "be allowed to behave as normal within the club."

All of those attending will have to produce a Digital Covid Cert and a negative antigen test – with attendees required to visit a test centre close to the Button Factory today to undertake an antigen test.

All attendees will also wear masks when queuing, and will be reminded to replace their masks when they leave the club. The ventilation system will be maximised in the Button Factory, and CO2 levels monitored throughout the event. Entering and exiting the venue will also be carefully managed by the event organisers and venue management.

Take a look at the line-up below:

1ST NIGHTCLUB #PILOTEVENT takes place at the @ButtonFactory20 tonight🎵

“I am delighted to be supporting this pilot event. This is the 1st indoor nightclub event in more than 18mths & is an important step to reopening in October." @cathmartingreen

Info➡️https://t.co/hCs6xihiqX pic.twitter.com/smHEYKO8JB

— Tourism-Culture-Arts-Gaeltacht-Sport-Media (@DeptCulturelRL) September 30, 2021