Australian company loadin.com devises COVID-safe system for live entertainment sector

When it comes to creating COVID-safe procedures for the live sector, Australia is regarded as leading the way. Overseas promoters have wasted no time in borrowing local initiatives, like ringed-zones and bubble areas.

The rules change from state to state, and last weekend Summersalt in Hobart had to tell patrons just days before they had to bring their own chairs and they couldn’t dance.

Australian company loadin.com today unveiled a new COVID-safe service for the Australian and global live entertainment industry.

“Anyone who works in live events understands just how many people it takes to get a show-up and running,” loadin.com co-founder Haydn Johnston said.

“To ensure accurate COVID compliance, event organisers need a reliable tracking system to safeguard artists, staff, vendors and stakeholders from the risk of COVID transmission on-site.

“This is where we step in.”

The platform gathers data from everyone who is performing or working on the site, assists event organisers in gathering essential COVID health check documents, manage staff follow-ups and customise passes with required info to ensure the safety of performers and workers ahead of show day.

The system allows for multiple check-in points across festival sites or anywhere workers would be required to pass through different work zones. It is currently trialling a process for music venues.

Co-founder of loadin.com, live sector veteran Haydn Johnston, started out in the days of mega-festivals like Big Day Out. He went on to launch Architects of Entertainment, working on festivals and events including Splendour In The Grass, Laneway, CMC Rocks and triple j’s One Night Stand.

“loadin.com was born out of a general frustration of advancing 22 live festival days a year as well as countless acts of all genres,” he said in a statement.

“When I was looking for a solution, everything available seemed to over complicate the process.”

So Johnston teamed up with developer and designer Alan James, to create the system, which launched in May 2018.

James began working in the web industry since the mid-90s, designing for Sieme, Expedia, Thomson Reuters, St George Bank, Qantas, Westpac, Service NSW and Pfizer.

“loadin.com is not designed to replace the wealth of talent sitting either end of the keyboard,” Johnston said.

“It simply creates a communication hub for touring acts, artist liaisons, production and vendors.

“Now that we’ve added the smooth back of house component and contract tracing system, we hope the service will make life even easier for those organising, managing and working events in the current climate.”