ORLANDO, Fla. – After months of empty stages, live music is coming back to downtown Orlando following Phase 3 reopening. 

The Plaza Live announced two events next month featuring live performances at their venue.

The first is called Front Porch Warm-up. On Thursday nights, starting on October 15, music performances will take over the front parking area of Plaza Live. Tickets will be sold in PODs, which are socially distant spaces with chairs provided. There will also be food and beverage trucks.

The second musical experience is called Escape to Palm Lounge. This will take place inside the venue, and performances will feature genres from folk, country, jazz, blues, and rock. This event will take place on October 30.

Area artists say this is an important next step.

Jace Magee leads an Orlando based band called Lovestruck Robot.

In love with his living, he was heartbroken when the effects of COVID-19 first settled in.

“The cancellations just kept coming through left and right, left and right," said Magee. "You’re so used to doing that as an artist, it takes away one, the financial part of it, and two, your ability to still create and have that artistic outlet that lets you do what you do on stage.”

Virtual venues kept his band going, but felt a little too robotic.

 “Just having the live bodies there and seeing the smiles and seeing people sing along with you, as opposed to doing it virtually in front of a camera," Magee said. "You kind of forget about how it feels for a while, because it’s been since March.”

It’s not just musicians who are hooked on that feeling.

“Live music brings a comfort level to people in more ways than anyone can really think about. And we figured that doing it outdoors is a safe way to start," said Megan Kelley, General Manager of The Plaza Live.

She hopes people have fun with the music, but take safety seriously.

 “We hope this is going to go in the right direction for everyone, not just here in central Florida," said Kelly. "But again, you have to do it safely and you have to take the precautions.”

Magee says, he’s just excited for he and his band to take the stage once again.

“Tiny steps forward mean a lot to all of us that depend on this and have done this for most of our lives," he said.

Parking for upcoming events at Plaza Live is free and staff say they are following all health department precautions.

For more information and ticket sales, visit plazaliveorlando.org.