Post by "The Freq" on Dec 9, 2020 21:18:14 GMT -5
To say that the year 2020 was a disaster is an understatement. The Covid virus has affected pretty much everyone on the planet. For musicians, the industry has pretty much come to a screeching halt. Obviously live concerts are not happening and in most countries, the small venues were locked down for over half a year. On the local level, the music scene was train wrecked. All venues stopped having live entertainment because of government rules for Covid. Musicians around the country who played music for a living were now trying to survive without income and no assistance from government. Only recently have some bars opened up with a regulated number in the audience but with strict guidelines be it masks, quarantined areas of the club, no dancing, barriers near the bands and even spit shields near the band. Yeah.. it sounds funny but not as funny as it actually looks. ;-) It's all like a bad horror movie. Like I mentioned, bands just started to play live locally but only at 2 bars. Other venues have either folded completely or chose not to take the plunge until further news comes out regarding Covid rules. The band I play with "Soundcheck" is one of 4 lucky bands playing gigs right now. All other bands are, for lack of a better term, in hibernation. There is no word when things will open up full again or if it will even happen at all. For months musicians that were going stir crazy tried to do live shows on social media or record solo performances and uploading them to social media. It's a hollow non financial replacement of doing actual shows live in front of people. In other words... it's just not the same. No one has a clue on where this is going or if it will end. Those of us that are lucky to play at this point in time, are gracious to have the chance to connect with people again and believe me.... the audiences are starving for live entertainment.
On a personal level, many of my musician friends around the world have varied stories of their Covid music detainment and old a handful are actually gigging. Some are selling gear off to put food on their plates are to pay rent or fuel. It's all disturbing. The few that are playing are like my band with limited shows, set playing times and a host of other rules. All I can say is that I hope things get better. Until then.... we all cross our fingers. In my opinion... music is essential.
On a personal level, many of my musician friends around the world have varied stories of their Covid music detainment and old a handful are actually gigging. Some are selling gear off to put food on their plates are to pay rent or fuel. It's all disturbing. The few that are playing are like my band with limited shows, set playing times and a host of other rules. All I can say is that I hope things get better. Until then.... we all cross our fingers. In my opinion... music is essential.
