Music lovers in Guernsey have been among the first in the British Isles to enjoy live music since the start of the Covid-19 crisis. They danced and celebrated with The Big Band Collective at the first of Guernsey’s family friendly outdoor Cobo Bay Hotel’s Balcony Gigs, which are sponsored by JT.

The popular fixture of the Guernsey summer calendar was due to begin in May with a series of tribute acts supported by local bands, but those were cancelled due to Covid-19. Now, thanks to the fact there are zero cases in Guernsey, large outdoor gatherings are permitted, so the Balcony Gigs could return.

Guernsey’s Chief Minister, Deputy Gavin St Pier, opened the event and said: “For me, like thousands of Islanders, it was great to be able to enjoy the first in the series of Cobo Bay Balcony Gigs. It’s thanks to the efforts of this community working together in its response to COVID-19 that we’re now in a position where events like this can be held, but we cannot take that for granted, especially knowing how unpredictable the global situation is and that the good position we’re in may not last forever. While we can, we should make the most of events like this both because they support our hospitality sector and because they’re a special part of Island life.”

JT’s Deputy Managing Director in Guernsey, Tamara O’Brien, said: “It’s so good to see the local economy starting to take a small step forward again and I’ve been blown away by the public response. We’re incredibly lucky to be able to enjoy large gatherings again and this event marks a very special moment for Guernsey.”

David Nussbaumer, who organises the events for Cobo Bay Hotel, said: “I was a little nervous about whether people would turn up or not, but the response has been fantastic. I’ve never seen so many people here. I’d estimate we’ve had well over 3,000 Islanders supporting local businesses and enjoying our brilliant local talent. This has been an extremely difficult year for the hospitality industry and we’re not through it yet. But to see so many coming together during tough times is humbling. I want to say how grateful we are to JT without whom we would not have been able to put this on.”

Tim Langlois, band member with The Big Band Collective, added: “We’re so fortunate in Guernsey that our government has managed the Covid-19 situation so that we are one of the few places in the British Isles able to put on events. We were so excited about this gig and being the first to perform after such an up and down year was a rare privilege none of us will forget.”