Are they still going?

2020 what a year for live music….not! I myself had gigs pulled in the early part of the year, and the list is endless of the gigs that I had planned on attending but unfortunately were cancelled or postponed. I livein hope for the Jesus & Mary Chain Roundhouse gig in Feb 2021….Whilst many bands have kept a low profile, a large number have been active finding other ways to keep their brand out there, to stay engaged with fans.

What’s impressive is the creative ways that artists have kept up their engagement with fans. Enabling subtle revenue streams by offering merchandise and the option to donate to live online performances for example. These live streams also give the opportunity to deliver regular updates on new music releases, many artists have used this time to record & release new music. Its vital for artists to keep their profile and releasing new music will continue their relevance with fans in these times of limited opportunity to gig.

Radio stations, magazines, newspapers, TV stations, are all still operating, albeit with less studio interviews, but zoom interviews and phone interviews or email are still happening. Online media platforms are pretty much untouched, in fact it could be argued with the ‘Lockdown’ audiences are more than ever ripe for the taking, music lovers starved from live music, desperate to engage with their favourite bands, and discover new music.

Many artists have stuck out for me ….. JC Carroll, who’s weekly ‘Solitary confinement’ solo performances on Saturday nights have been a welcome delight. JC keeps it fresh by playing themed nights inc Blues, Space Rock. JC promotes throughout these shows releases by the Members, and his solo music giving the option to include merchandise with any purchases. The Members like a number of bands have also performed live gigs in studios and live streamed to fans.

‘Punk Rock Rendezvous’ a fantastic two day festival at the Camden Unicorn organised by Nina Courson & Phil Honeyjones (Healthy Junkies) With performances from the bands appearing being professionally filmed and streamed via social media etc The Professionals played a storming set that was live streamed and built up a lot of excitement via online channels. They have also been pushing video blog posts to talk about their latest EP releases and news on the forthcoming new album, its vital to keep the fans up to date, to stay in the game so to speak.

Other artists that I have noticed that have been busy with video blogs, online live gigs and promoting new releases are The Damned, Sensible Gray Cells, Duncan Reid & the Big Heads, Izzy Thomas, Chelsea, She Made Me Do It, Mick Rossi to name but a few.

What has been the impact on your musical plans? have you lost impetus? how are you remedying this? Are you still driven to succeed? how have you used this time? With the recent restrictions on mixing with different households, how are you over coming this to continue to produce music and perform? Are you feeling confident that you can adapt & 2021 WILL be a good year? 

Now is the time for music lovers & musicians to come together, share ideas & support each other in these challenging times. We must continue to kick down the doors!

Rock on!