If You're Waiting for Permission to Mourn Live Music
Here it is.
Right now you might be feeling silly or guilty about how sad you are that festivals, concerts, and music camps are postponing and/or even completely cancelling. Losing live entertainment can seem trivial when we’re in the middle of a two-fold pandemic and economic crisis and people are losing jobs, getting sick, and even dying. Especially in this era when streaming is so readily available.
Your feelings are totally valid. Live music is likely part of your identity. It definitely is an integral part of life for myself and many of my friends. Even those of us that don’t consider ourselves a musician or work in the music industry are feeling a shift in our everyday lives.
Live music is our weekend treat or the vacation we plan for all year. We have all met people who are significant in our lives at concerts and festivals: friends, romantic partners, chosen family. Live music has been the soundtrack to beautiful moments we could not have experienced anywhere else.
To my fellow concert hoppers, together let us pledge to support live music however we safely can by:
Watching and sharing live streams (I suggest casting the video to your TV)
Leaving good reviews for your favorite venues
Tipping musicians as you watch their streams
Buying merch
Donating to music organizations or venues in your community
To the musicians: We miss you! Thank you for sharing your music with us. Do not feel pressure to come out of this with a masterpiece. These uncertain times are overwhelming for all of us.
Although the return to concerts as we know them will be slow. It will happen. I am sure your first concert back after all of this will have that same electric energy of that first concert you attended.
Keep in mind, the arts have survived every pandemic.
Stay safe.