Photo: Paul Bachmann
A lot of words are flying around at the moment, the main one being ‘unprecedented’.
Whilst being apposite, it also fails to do justice to the situation the world finds itself in. In the UK, despite the depressing outcome for much of us, the general election and then Brexit at least brought a certain amount of clarity and near-relief after three-and-a-half torturous years. Things were just starting to normalise, in as much as they could.
Now this. Now it turns out all that instability was just a starter to COVID-19. You’re all reading the news, changing every day, but to focus on all things music: one of the first warning shots was the postponement of Coachella, more serious the cancellation of SXSW. This in itself was a devastating blow: the festival is a showcase for newer artists and bands, many of whom rely heavily on the exposure and promotional opportunities it brings. But again, these were naught but teaser trailers.
It snowballed: Record Store Day, a key event in the music calendar and a day in which all music fans can attend events and support the art as a whole, pushed back for three months. Gigs started being cancelled and then, as news of the infections and deaths kept coming, it went to the next stage, with tours postponed indiscriminately – Stormzy, The Who, Idles, Ash, Foo Fighters, Madonna, Blossoms among those whose tours fells like dominoes. Live Nation and AEG cancelled their shows. Then, with grim inevitability, the mother of all festivals had to break the news no-one wanted to hear: despite being over three months away, the lengthy preparation time involved meant that the Eavis family had little choice but to cancel Glastonbury’s 50th anniversary bash, a week after announcing what was generally agreed to be the strongest line-up for some time.
The government’s press conference on Monday, 16th March was an attempt to allay fears but fell short; there was ambiguity as to whether venues, pubs and clubs would be required to close, putting their existences as risk. Some steps have been taken to help the hospitality industry since, but it already looks like it won’t be enough. Grassroots venues such as The Exchange in Bristol took the decision on themselves to close. Many others will be following suit, but even more established names such as The Joiners in Southampton are already asking for crowd-funding assistance.
There’s no doubt about it, this is bleak. Bleaker than anyone could have anticipated a few short weeks ago. In less than three months, the 2020s have already been defined. Everything seems to be falling, like in a film. But this is real life.
In music, the bigger acts will be OK. As an example, The Who have already rescheduled their arena tour to 2021. The Academy venues will surely be fine. The major record labels have vested interests elsewhere and are undoubtedly insured up to their eyeballs. But some small labels will probably fold. The homes of innovation and creativity that major labels don’t cater for will disappear in the process. Independent record stores, who have done so much to carve a niche over the last few years, will find themselves on the front line when the inevitable recession hits. The damage this thing is going to do, to all walks of life, seems incomprehensible right now.
And yet. And yet. Music will save, like it always does. We music fans are a passionate and resourceful lot, and glimmers of hope and innovation are popping up. Yungblud is one of many acts streaming gigs, still more others will undoubtedly follow suit. Crowdfunding will no longer be a platform for obsessive folk, but a true platform to help our fellow man.
Twenty years ago, the major labels bought up the independents as a result of the success of Britpop, but back the independent labels came. Vinyl was an outdated concept fifteen years ago, now we have specific days of celebration. Record shops, independent or not, are social gatherings themselves.
As music fans, we’ve always been a community. In this mainstream, commercialised, faceless world of bland high streets and chain pubs, we’ve always been proud to be different. We have to lead from the front with that attitude now. As well as our belief in the redeeming power of the universal language that is music, our innovation and compassion has never been more vital, not only for music but for wider society. For now, support your local venues in any way you can, visit independent shops (not just record stores), show love and support for artists, whether you like them or not. More importantly, support your fellow man and yes, be grateful for our wonderful NHS.
It’s going to get worse before it gets better. This is it. The darkest day. The blackest hour. Chin up, shoulders back. We’ve got work to do.
“So when you see your neighbour carryin’ somethin’, help him with his load. And don’t go mistaking paradise, for that home across the road.”- Bob Dylan
