The sound of applause will be thunderous. The level of built-up excitement will be immeasurable. The returning crowd will have to follow new COVID-19 guidelines, but at least Billie Eilish’s devoted fans will be in person to see her perform live at this year’s Governors Ball.

After more than a year of the world being shut down, music festivals and Broadway shows are finally making a comeback.

The annual Governors Ball music festival, where Billie Eilish, A$AP Rocky, Post Malone and many more are scheduled to perform, was cancelled last June due to the pandemic. However, it is set to be in- person from Sept. 24 through 26, 2021. Due to the ever-changing nature of COVID-19 restrictions, health precautions for the event have not yet been announced.

The country has been opening up, especially since New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the reopening of Broadway on May 5. In Sept., theaters will be at full capacity, but all state health and safety guidelines must be followed.

In his announcement, Cuomo said, “Broadway is at the core of our New York identity…beginning this September, the show will go on.”

CHS students have some thoughts on the live events to come. Sophomore Danielle Lirov of Marlboro is not comfortable with going to a big Broadway production with people from different places, but would be comfortable with attending shows in local theaters.

Despite her doubts, Lirov believes this is a step towards normalcy.

Sophomore Anna Siciliano of Ocean Township, however, is willing to begin attending in-person events.

“I would definitely feel comfortable going to live events,” Siciliano said. “We’ve been very cautious for a while now, so I think the risks have gone down.”

Now that the amount of people who have been vaccinated is increasing, Siciliano feels safe going into more public places.

“When we all get back to normal, our immune systems will do the rest. I really don’t think there’s too much to worry about anymore,” Siciliano said.

Even as Broadway and music venues are beginning to open up, not everyone is ready to go to these in person events.

“Even though there are still problems that need to be solved, I think we’ve been without Broadway for way too long,” Lirov said. “People need their jobs back and people need theater.”