Published on The City Journal.
Cheering fans have been replaced with a mere device with comments and heart emojis popping up. A wide stage with a microphone in front and, in some cases, a band behind, has been replaced with a quiet bedroom — or wherever local artists are isolating in.
While some Australian musicians have suffered financial losses, these stem from being shut out from the possibilities of even holding one gig, let alone a whole tour.
There have also been fears that the absence of support could possibly lead to the absence of the soundtracks of our lives.
Live gigs are where musicians connect with new and existing fans, and they are left with a difficult medium to do this — live streams.
But the coronavirus didn’t kill Australian music. Australian musicians are still finding ways to release new music and connect with their fans. But when the pandemic is over, they hope they’ll be able to see the people behind the comments in their social media cheering for them in the audience of a post-COVID gig.
Read the full story here.
Gabriela Caeli Sumampow 