As I sit in my room, quarantined, I reminisce of all the lights, sound, and energy that one can only find standing in a live music venue. I miss it. We all miss it. Nothing in the world can compare to seeing your favorite musicians up on stage playing their hearts out.
Due to the recent outbreak of the Coronavirus (COVID-19),
many state and local government officials have made the call to shut down all music
venues, nightclubs, and any gatherings of 10 or more people. Therefore, there is no place for touring artists to perform, and no place for us to enjoy the environment that can only be created by music professionals.
Those tickets you bought 3 months ago are now null until artists and management feel safe enough to tour again, hopefully to the same venue. Yes, this sucks. But it hurts much harder for the musicians and all the people who work hard to make these shows happen.
Many people's full time jobs include tour management, light and sound production, talent buying, marketing, bartending, serving, and of course performing live.
The live music scene has been defeated by a virus outbreak.
The term "starving artist" has regained all its value. People in the music industry have started taking odd jobs and live streaming to make ends meet. Live sound engineers are inviting artists to their houses to take on recording gigs. Talent buyers are working hard to keep their calm and reschedule thousands of shows. Performers are jumping on live-streaming platforms to perform to fans for tips, via Venmo, Squarecash, and PayPal. Bandcamp is even making a comeback as artists look to a place to sell their music rather than trying to gain streams. This past Friday, March 20, Bandcamp offered a full day of non-commission sales to all artists using the platform, stating "a single day of boosted sales can mean the difference between being able to pay rent or not."
Some musicians have been taking a different approach. Singer and guitarist Hays Dowdy has started performing outdoors to neighbors calling it "social distancing community concerts." Dowdy had his first concert standing outside in his front yard performing to friends, family, and neighbors. Recently, he has been spotted on the end street of a local apartment complex, singing to several neighbors who enjoyed from their balconies.
DC music venues and nightclubs, including Jammin' Java, Union Stage, DC9, and U St Music Hall, have started GoFundMe pages to raise money to assist in sending continued paychecks to their employees.
You can find a list of fundraisers at the bottom of this post if you wish to donate.
In this desolate time, all we can do is wait, so spend this time doing the things you love. Create something incredible, enjoy the nature around you, support your favorite musicians' live stream, support your music venues, and for the love of God, WASH YOUR HANDS AND STAY SAFE.
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