Totally dated view, and everything. The interaction between yourself and the Dance Floor, thats what djing is all about. But will that be gone forever for some because of the pandemic . 16 months ago, this was just a normal weekend. Now, it seems kind of alien. After over 500 days, im left wondering if weve lost dancing. In march last year, the Prime Minister made an announcement that would have a huge impact. We are collectively telling, telling cafes, clubs, bars and restaurants to close. We are also telling nightclubs, theatres, cinemas, gyms, and Leisure Centres to close on the same timescale. In a matter of seconds, djs used to playing to thousands lost their connection with their fans. When borisjohnson made that announcement, clubs were expected to be closed for a few weeks. More than a year on, like most venues across the country, the welly in hull is yet to reopen. Hi there, how are you . Yeah, im all right. Welcome to rainy hull. It nearly disappeared entirely when the pandemic hit saved by aaron mellor, who owns a number of venues across the north of england. Totally as it was left when you had your last night here . Yeah, i mean, we didnt own the space when we had last night here, but when it had its last night, nobody really. Door opens loudly. Its always look like this, just a lot darker. Yeah, lets switch the lights off. Laughter. Yeah, but the idea is to keep it pretty much the same as it is, you know . Venues like this are grassroots Music Venues, so you know. If it had a carpet, it would be a sticky carpet. Thats very much part of the atmosphere. Its been run by terry spoma, whos been putting on nights here since the early rave days. When it closed, were you gutted . The whole city was gutted i mean, ive honestly fat tears have been involved in the Music Industry ive never seen the city so gutted when a venue closed. When i heard it closed, it just felt. Somebody needs to be saving these venues for the future. At this stage, their hopes of reopening, like most venues across england, are pinned on 2ijune. My Bank Manager thinks its madness. You know, but youve got to have some belief that we will get through this. Do you reckon the government really understand your industry . Do you think they understand what it will take to get a nightclub open by 2ijune . Ive sat on a few select committees, and its quite clear the government just do not understand the Nightclubs Sector and its benefit to the economy. You know, theyre stuck in the world of the 1990s when you had Chrome Handrails and 2am slowdowns. Thats not what nightclubs are doing. We re generating new music, new creative talent. And music internationally is one of our last great british exports, you know, we export music around the world better than any other product. And the government seems to not really connect the dots on that that without venues like the welly, then we dont have new music that we can then export. They paint a pretty bleak picture but are clubs really that under threat if they cant open on 2ijune . Ive come to chat with Radio OneDj Arielle free. Music ends. Post malone, that is better now. Ive had your breakfast covered this morning. Ill be back again next week. She used to have a busy schedule djing, so she knows the scene inside out. I feel like everyone was saving their money for this moment. But i also know, like, a lot of peoples Mental Health has been affected massively because people go into the club at the weekend its notjust about, you know, going and getting mashed up with your mates. Its actually pure escapism, its having that moment for yourself. Maybe youve worked relentless hours all week, and you just want to let your hair down and have some fun with your mates. For me, i love walking into clubs in london and knowing that for the next 5 7 hours, itsjust about me dancing to some tunes with my mates. And, you know, when youve had a really hard week, like, trying to earn those pennies, thats what we live for, we live for the weekend, dont we . So, i feel like theres going to be a lot of Mental Health effects, as well. Im actually adapting to being in social environments, as well, thatll be quite hard for some people. But the pressure to make that first tune the best one or the last tune of the evening of peoples first dance back, i think, is probably more important than the first one, because thats the one theyll go home, like, singing. Hopefully, if its a good gig. Its been more than 400 days since the clubs shut and, aside from illegal raves, the Dance Floors have been hauntingly empty. Until now. Here in liverpool, weve been invited to a Test Event which is being run by the government to see how clubbing can happen more safely. Yusuf has run the famous Circus Night for around 20 years, and has been asked to put on the event. Were getting a Sneak Peek around the place. I think making sure that i play the right records at the right time because thats the essence of djing. Im a technical guy, but its about the right music at the right time. So ive got to do that for 3,000 people for the first time, really, in 14 months. Do you think that the night time industry, nightclubs, djs, clubbers have been supported through this . I think its been dreadful, the way they were treated. But i understood i found out why they were treated so badly and its because, even though the Music Industry is the fifth biggest economy in the uk, more than steel and fisheries who get support no problem at all its because the government dont understand what we do. Theyve literally no idea. They think that a dj is someone who kind of plays in a pub, you know, last orders at the bar, all that stuff. Totally dated view and everything. Starved of a chance to dance, the excitement is huge. Music plays. Those attending are clearly having a great time. To get in, theyve had to prove theyre free of covid and commit to doing another test after the event. Hot since 82 will start his set with his own special mix. Borisjohnson, distorted weve been asking people to stay at home. Stay at home. Telling nightclubs,. Theatres, nightclubs, nightclubs, nightclubs. To close on the same timescale. Now these are places where people come together and, indeed, the whole purpose in many cases of these businesses is to bring people together. But the sad thing is, im afraid, today, for now, at least physically, we need to keep people apart. To keep people apart. To keep people apart. Music starts. With no gigs to play it at recent times, hes also using the event to test new music on a live audience. This tune has been signed by yusuf a sign of how important djs being together is. Ive been invited to hot since 82s studio to see how lifes changed over the last year. Music plays. Usually you make these records in the week, and you get, you know, the weekend comes and you can play these 3 4 times at the weekend, then come back on monday and make those small tweaks that you can hear when you play out live. Youve got yourself pretty busy throughout this, havent you . Its notjust, sort of, a year off youve been streaming and trying to do many things. Yeah, i work with a great team and were always trying to push the envelope, whatever it may be, doing the stream in a hot air balloon, which was super scary. But it takes you off the bucket list. Doing a stream on a pier in the northeast. Its keeping the viewers and listeners engaged, as well. And i dont want to keep it stale for me, you know, were in lockdown and im not playing any shows. I want to get out there and play music, and i want to keep it interesting for myself, as well, because this is who i am, you know . Im a dj. I drive over to hull to catch up with Terry And Aaron as they try to get the welly back, ready, and open for 21 June. Thats the date theyve been given to work to but it all seems in some doubt. Thats because of a new variant of covid, first discovered in india. Right, whats changed . Were just trying to get the place ready. Theres that uncertainty of when well be able to open. Theyve got this new indian variant coming through, and thats putting 21 June into some kind of question. Weve been doing some socially distance events so youll see in the room here, weve got some tables laid out for a gig on saturday night. Can you manage a business with that level of uncertainty over you . Its just super difficult. You cantjust open a venue like this with one weeks notice. Were Booking Acts and telling them theyre 12 18 months down the line. The thing is, weve got to plan anywayjust in case we can open. I mean, hopefully, im feeling positive, im keeping positive because when the news came out about the indian variant, it does affect you mentally, because you think, ive just put three months of planning again. I think the thing that really strikes you there is the uncertainty thats the word they kept mentioning, how uncertain the future feels to them. They were saying that theyre worried about rumours going around that maybe the government might let them open on the 21st, but put restrictions on the number of people that can come into the venue. That, they say, isjust unworkable and that means theres a Big Cloud Hanging over the venue and a lot of concern. When you look at the stats, clubs have been battered over the past few years. And the pandemic threatens even more of them. Six years ago, i made a documentary asking, where have all the clubs gone . What was this, then . This used to be liquid. This was literally the biggest place to go. We have no real need to come here for a Night Out any more. Back then, half had a shut in the past decade. That stat came from Industry Expert kate nichols, who now heads up uk hospitality. Shes agreed to meet up for an update and appropriately, outside a closed down club. Since then, weve lost a further 25 , and a significant number of those have closed during the pandemic year. 0ne Bit of the industry thats not been allowed to reopen at all since march. So while we saw stabilisation in 2018 19, i think we will see an accelerated Closure Rate through this year. A lot of her concerns are shared by Club Owners like simeon. He runs the depot in manchester, the drum sheds, and the massive print works here in london. Were 500 days in, we are absolutely exhausted. Weve gone from a team of several hundred to tens, with the government saying, were all about to open, now stop, now start, now stop. Every time that happens, we lose tens of millions of pounds. Why is it you think they dont get it . Why is it that this industry keeps telling me they feel abandoned . I dont think weve been forgotten, ijust dont think they care. Thats the fundamental. I dont think its about being forgotten, weve been lobbying hard. The science is really difficult about opening venues. But weve done Test Events months ago, weve got the data, we know how to do it, we have World Class Health and safety producers in this country. And to be honest, to totally ignore us isjust not good enough. His worries about opening and being forced to shut are exactly what happened in the netherlands. My friends were all Buying Tickets to everything, and now its just all cancelled again. And i feel bad about it, but i understand it completely. Like for me, its a logical reasoning. The government here says it doesnt want to close the Night Clubs again like has happened in the netherlands. It says it understands how difficult the pandemic has been for the sector, and it continues to do everything it can to back it. It points to an unprecedented £353 billion package of support which includes things like the furlough scheme, protection from being evicted, and grants to help them reopen. But that doesnt remove uncertainty for clubs and promoters. Its meant djs used to playing huge packed out venues and now events like this the estate festival, which is all socially distanced. You spend all that time in the studio for this. You know, whether its a festival, a club, whatever its all about this. The 21st, though . No, its not gonna happen. To be honest, i wasnt super optimistic about it anyway. But i mean, its for the best. It must be for the best, because we dont see the statistics these are the guys that see all that, without getting too political and whatnot. So if it needs to be a few more weeks for us to finally be unchained, then is what it is. If the 21st doesnt happen and it gets pushed back, thats all right for a big event like this, but those smaller promoters and smaller djs, thats a problem, isnt it . Its all about the new wave. Because im an established artist and its easy for me to just pick up from where i left off hopefully. But for the other people building up the momentum, i hope thats not eradicated. And the promoters, the little promoters, or the big time festival promoters, its all like a domino effect, isnt it . So lets hope that we can try and rejuvenate the industry, because it has shone within the last few years, i know that. Clubs have faded, clubs havent been in for the last 20 25 years, it is happening. So lets hope that we can try and stimulate the industry again and keep it alive. You can make A Thousand tunes in the studio, but youre making it for an audience outside, a festival, club, whatever. Its the first time hot since 82 has played the finished version of his new Track Heater to a crowd. Music plays. Its strange, having spent time with him in his studio. Its quite nicejust to see him doing what he does, and obviouslyjust loving being back on stage. Music continues. Applause. That was amazing, it was nice to play out for the first time in a long time since the circus in liverpool. Tried a few new records a few of them were all right. Laughter. A few of them need a good mix down. But apart from that, yeah, it was good. So, will he get back to playing in a club again . And is that 21st Date going to go the way of christmas and get changed at the last minute . Im back with yusuf to see the Government Announcement on this. Here we go. When we set out on our Road Map to freedom a few months ago,. We were determined to make progress that was cautious i but irreversible. This opening up over the last. Three steps has inevitably been accompanied by more infection, and. In the worst affected areas. How are you feeling now . In terms of waiting anxious, waiting to see what the outcome will be . It feels like were about to go over another cliff, unfortunately. We will hold off step four openings until 29july l except for weddings, i they can still go ahead with more than 30 guests, provided social distancing i remains in place. So, how do you feel right now . Well, its confusing because he keeps on making word mistakes, for a start. He said 29july, and i think he meant the 19th. And so that. Was a shock to the system. Im hoping he didnt mean the 19th, and thatll be four weeks away, that would be painful. But manageable, possibly. I think ive met you now 2 3 times, and every time i come away from meeting you, i realise youre a very positive, upbeat guy with a lot of energy. Today, it feels quite different. You feel like, its a bit of a cliche, but like the wind knocked out of your sails. Yeah. Is that how you feel about it . Its exactly that, i feel like the winds been knocked out of my sails and notjust for me, you know, thinking about the journey that weve all been on over the past 14, now 15 months. But yeah, im gutted that so far, the Movie Isnt ending with a happy ending just yet. This is going to be the most bitter pill to swallow. But, as they say, its darkest just before the dawn. Hes clearly really frustrated but what about the other djs weve met . Casablanca how are you . Im all right, how are you . I mean, im overwhelmed, i and wanting to dive right in. Well, crack on. I decided it was time to catch up with arielle at her local record shop. You need to buy this record. Laughter. What do you recommend . Its genuinely an incredible record, yeah. Oh, i might have to get it then. I you want to pick up the float, then well head to the park . Ok, lets do that. Lets do it. Now i should say its very rare that anyone buys a record that quickly off one of my recommendations. But actually, there is a reason why arielle was on the hunt for something a bit different. Shall we head to the park . Yes i spent lockdown making music, and actually, im really, really happy because its something ive always wanted to do that i didnt think. Was possible, but its also had me connect with djs and friends. | like, ive now got to the pointj where i released my first track so im really thankful. About that because its allowed me to flex that muscle i when weve been stuck at home and not able to play to a crowd, and whatnot. It feels a Bit Doom and gloom, but whats your assessment of where we are with Dance Music once the clubs finally reopen . I think the appetite is still there. Over 700,000 people have lost theirjobs in the live i events industry, and theyve had to retrain going into different industries. And whether theyre coming back. I know so many people whove gone to work at warehouses. For sainsburys and amazon, and things like that because its much more solid and stable. So, i think the appetite for clubs is there, Ijust Hope that people who make it all happen can survive. This again and again. Well, its19july four months on since we came here to the welly. Many of the people that work in here frankly never thought this day was going to happen. Theres been so many ups and downs. But tonight, the welly is going to party. With just a few more hours to go until the doors open, theres still plenty left to do. Feels like weve been closed for 16 months, and were opening last minute again. Laughter. Not on purpose, but i think we kind of, we werent fully sure that 19july was going to happen, so 21 June happened and that was pushed back. So, its almost like a relief in that its trying to get staff in and try to get security in, and get everything working again. You dont want to build yourself up because weve had so much disappointment over the last 16 months that its like, you know, until today, you dont actually believe its going to happen. Tonight, therell be no Vaccine Passport checks. The government urged clubs to do it, but its not a legal requirement. But then, just 17 hours after the clubs could reopen, theres news. 0nly tonight, as were waiting to have a chat with you, borisjohnson� s got up and said that come Mid September, basically Vaccine Passports are a thing for nightclubs. This is a fast Moving Story do you feel that youre being brought along in the journey . I think the problem is that the whole way through this, weve been told that vaccination Passports Wouldnt be a thing, then it was dropped on us last monday that Vaccination Passports clubs were being urged to do Vaccination Passports. But the Technology Isnt working properly yet, and the demographic we appeal to, the 18 25s, havent had a chance for their second vaccine yet. So, that was really difficult. Now ive almost got a sense of relief that its september, because it then gives us time to get ready and at least prepare for that. When it was announced on last monday, i was in a panic, thinking weve sold all these tickets to people who wont be able to get Vaccination Passports, and how do we deal with that . Theres not long to go now. And as the queue begins to form outside, it all starts to feel very real. Its the first time ive been to a nightclub to be honest. The first time youve been to a nightclub . Yeah, literally my birthday was on the wednesday of the week we shut down. What is it that youve craved about going to a nightclub, what is it you wanted to do . I dont know. Just experiencing it. I havent experienced it before. So, itsjust going to be a new thing for me. I dont feel as scared about it, really, because weve all been all over the place. With the government going, oh, you cant do this, you cant do that. Do you have any worries about being in a crowded venue . Yeah, ido. I feel like im a massive hypocrite but, like, im here because i want to be im just so over it now. Its a big moment. For some, their first ever Night Out. For many, a return to a venue they havent been to for ages. For aaron and his team, the first night at the welly has opened since he took it over. A bit nervous with a lot of people, but not because of covid, its more like around the eyes, you know what i mean . Other than that, its all right. Because youre just not used to being in a big crowd any more . Yeah, 100 , yeah. Music plays. Its really nice to see everyone smiling and happy. We love that. Yeah, we both had covid real recently. We came out of our isolation like a week ago. We both had it at the same time. I just feel scared for anyone thats not had it, because i feel like if youve not had it, you are going to get it now. Look, strip away whether you think its right or wrong to reopen clubs. Im just struck that Theres Something quite magical Seeing Friends Dancing and reconnecting on the Dance Floor. Not as bad as i thought it would be. Like, people wise. Yeah, the amount of people but they havent let that many in really, have they . Itjust means so much to the city. People just want to socialise and go back on the Dance Floor because music connects people, doesnt it . Have you missed it as a promoter, manager, owner . Absolutely. I mean, i think we go through life and just accept that these Buildings Kind of exist. Its only when they no longer exist that you realise just how important they are. You know, these places are cultural incubators, and it is so vital that places like the welly and grassroots Music Venues like this continue to exist. So, hopefully well come out of this and appreciate them more, because they are so vital to our industry of music and life, and everything. So, nightclubs are open, but the Uncertainty Weve seen along the way remains. For example, the Prime Minister wants to see the Vaccine Passports for entry, but many in his own party hate the idea. Will we see that come into law by Mid September . Either way, uncertainty is the big Message Weve heard along the way. For example, clubs have got massive debts that theyve racked up during the pandemic. Festivals have become increasingly popular, and its very difficult to get and keep a licence. People will always want to dance. That is undeniable. The thing that may be changing is where they want to do it. Hello. After whats been a relatively cloudy and relatively cool week so far for many of us, the weather is set to change a little bit through friday and into the weekend. It will briefly turn a little bit warmer. It will also start to turn a lot wetter because low pressure is pushing in from the west. This frontal system bringing rain very early on on friday across Northern Ireland. That Will Push Eastwards over the coming days. But ahead of that weather front, we draw in a southerly wind, bringing some slightly warmer air in our direction. But many of us are going to start off on quite a cloudy note on friday. For england, wales and scotland, most places will be dry, just the odd spot of rain. But for Northern Ireland, this Heavy Rain working its way in. That will persist into the afternoon, Rain Extending into southwest scotland, maybe getting into western fringes of england and wales. Further east, a few sunny spells will start to develop. Turning quite breezy, particularly for western coasts, but with that breeze coming up from the south, itll feel a little bit warmer. And given some sunshine, Eastern England could see highs of around 2a degrees. As we head through friday night, our band of rain will move a little further eastwards. Its likely to dry out a little bit across Northern Ireland by saturday morning, some Mist And Murk and low cloud on what will be a pretty mild night. A mild start to saturday with our band of Rain Working Erratically Eastwards and heavy bursts running along it. Eastern parts of england will see a little bit of sunshine for a time. Northern ireland should brighten up, too, along with the far west of scotland, wales and the southwest, but some thundery showers could break out here later. Highest temperatures likely to be across Eastern England if we see some sunshine, maybe up to 25 degrees. But for the second half of the weekend, this frontal system continues to journey eastwards. We end up with a little area of low pressure lingering close to eastern counties of england, so still the potential for some rain here. Quite windy for some of these eastern coasts as well. Elsewhere, some sunny spells, a scattering of showers, but we lose that southerly flow, we lose that slightly warmer feel. Now, into next week, High Pressure looks set to establish itself, but the winds generally will be coming down from the north. To see any sort of heat wave, wed need the winds to come up from the south, but thats not going to happen. So, there is some pleasant weather to come through next week. A bit more in the way of sunshine, a lot of dry weather, but no real heat wave. Temperatures generally around the low 20s. Welcome to Bbc News im lewis vaughanjones. Our top stories. The taliban tighten their grip after taking over afghanistan carrying out house to house searches for people who worked with western forces. The militants beat back the crowds at Kabul Airport as afghans turn up in hope at abandoned western embassies. These people have no real information on what they can do to leave afghanistan but they are desperate. In fact, theyre coming to us. Is a true . With the canadians give me a visa. The fact is, most of these people will never get one. Covid 19 hospitalisations are surging across the us, with the rates for children and adults under 50, hitting their highest levels yet