Bigger COVID-19 worry?

[CallMeAl]

Sure, I'm evil. Jesus.

Haha. I don’t think you’re evil. I see what you’re saying, and no I wouldn’t want to see professional musicians no longer have an income source. I’m just looking for silver linings in a dark situation. Peace brother

 

[40Hz]

And then there's that pesky First Amendment...

Freedom of speech and assembly takes a backseat when it conflicts with legitimate public safety concerns. The Supreme Court definitively ruled on that ages ago.

And if you ever find yourself in a situation and place where martial law has been declared by the governor of the state (something they have the legal authority to do), then you’d best understand your rights under the US Constitution just went right out the window for as long as it’s in effect.

 

[Rojd]

My wife and I are both long distance endurance runners and were going to run a race next month. As of this past Saturday, the race was on. Once the cdc recommended no gatherings of a certain number, the race was deep-sixed this morning. We were expecting that even before the recommendations.

 

[fhm555]

This is likely the true long term concern. I'm not sure how existing establishments are going to cope with reduced sales for a long period of time. But if i think about it a cyclical, whenever we return to "normal" new establishments will take their place and live music will be a part of that. Expect a gig lull for many months though.

My thoughts are the only way to survive is to switch to a carry out/delivery model, which i see some restaurants doing. Even to-go beer sales. Others have already just shuttered their doors until further notice, which is another avenue to avoid the risk of loss. No employees to pay or spoiled inventory, but i'm sure their leases don't go on hold.

drive through alcohol sales you say? In Fort Walton Beach Florida they have a drive through tap beer place. You ease through and pick up a gallon or two of your fave draft beer. NW FL is also loaded with liquor stores sporting drive through windows and i’m betting the rest of the state is as well.
But Florida is not alone...

Legal in 30 States: Drive-Thru Alcohol Sales

 

[Ric5]

Seattle canceled all live music … over 300 events … this will cause a total loss to the musician community of close to $500

 

[fhm555]

The lack of gigs will be short term, but what if bars cancel shows, fill them with other entertainment and find that on some nights you can have more crowd appeal with a board game night or whatever they try and it works. Are you worried about regular Fri / Sat night gigs that just don't return when COVID-19 goes away?

this has already been happening. As new bars open and existing bars remodel, a lot are going with SOA A/V systems that an EDM DJ can just plug in to or cast to. My nephew is one such individual and he stays busy as an EDM jock supplying audio and video mashups to these places. These places have focused areas where the volume is pumping and others where you can still hear it but can talk without having to yell, and places like around the bar where it’s present but just so. All while sending vids to the slew of giant monitors all over the walls. Nephew shows up with a 6’ folding table, a couple milk crates with dressing for the table and other equiiment, and a couple Mac books and it’s on. I’ve been to a few of his gigs and everyone in the place is bobbing their head and/or moving to the beats, even those sitting in the conversation pits. It’s perfect for a bar so it’s no wonder it’s becoming the norm, at least where the demographic skews younger. There’s still plenty of live band work but it’s VFW, BPOE, etc. places catering to middle age and up who want a place to have a few libations and snacks with a live dance soundtrack.

 

[Frenchy-Lefty]

i'm thinking that after things begin to normalize, later in the season/year = people will be horny for live music.

"horny" but broke as hell. I think 60% of the people I know are bracing to go through a period of no or very reduced income. Many people have no or very little savings. It is particularly compounded in the US because there is very little social safety net. It will push many to bankruptcy.

 

[JRA]

"horny" but broke as hell. I think 60% of the people I know are bracing to go through a period of no or very reduced income. Many people have no or very little savings. It is particularly compounded in the US because there is very little social safety net. It will push many to bankruptcy.

the glass is always half full. YMMV.

 

[Ric5]

Bigger COVID-19 worry?


My biggest worry is we stay locked down, and this becomes the new normal.

 

[TBird1958]

All,

Kindly keep your politics to yourselves - or have a 30 day party favor. This is really getting old.

 

[BAG]

I live in Christchurch and we have a pretty good music scene here. Lot's of venues that put on live music, a few of them even do so 7 days a week. This is in a city that had 85% of the CBD completely wrecked in the quake of 2011. Cities will bounce back one way or another.... some small towns may see their shops and bars disappear for good.

 

[bassliner50]

The lack of gigs will be short term, but what if bars cancel shows, fill them with other entertainment and find that on some nights you can have more crowd appeal with a board game night or whatever they try and it works. Are you worried about regular Fri / Sat night gigs that just don't return when COVID-19 goes away?

We are turning a corner my friend and not for the better. You might say "The corona virus has gone viral" Stay healthy.

 

[Allan Allan]

You're missing the point.

Respectfully, I think you are. If people don't want to listen to music they aren't going to. Am audience isn't a collection of hostages, bands are too loud, usually (poorly) putting their own flavor on 50 year old music. No wonder people have lost interest.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

Respectfully, I think you are. If people don't want to listen to music they aren't going to. Am audience isn't a collection of hostages, bands are too loud, usually (poorly) putting their own flavor on 50 year old music. No wonder people have lost interest.

Oh sure, the OP is missing the point of his own post.

 

[sacahill42]

Wouldn’t it be great if we came out of this with a greater sense of community?

In my band, we are already planning "virtual gigs" via Facebook or YouTube live streams. We will be promoting the clubs where we normally play gigs, and hopefully raising money for local charities. We are not getting paid, but we want to make sure people get back out and support local businesses after all this passes.

We're talking about a benefit for one of the local venues, just to help them weather the storm so that once we get on the other side of this, that venue can still support live music and the community as it has done for 24 years.

Fishes and loaves...

 

[protegeV]

Depends on the bar and clientele. Some people don’t want to hear live music.

That's what those hipster whiskey bars are for, lol.

 

[kjp360]

Seattle canceled all live music … over 300 events … this will cause a total loss to the musician community of close to $500

This reminds me of an awards show quip from Canadian legend Kelly Jay of Crowbar fame (RIP). Hopefully this is word for word or close:
"I've been in the Canadian music scene for over 40 years and I've made hundreds of dollars."

 

[CryingBass]

A client mentioned that MGM is close to closing all of their properties in LV. Gotta be some hits there...

 

[Allan Allan]

Oh sure, the OP is missing the point of his own post.

It's TalkBass tradition!

 

[hrodbert696]

NH has followed suit and closed all bars and restaurants, except for takeout/delivery, effective tonight. MA did it already and the concern was reportedly that all the Mass people would swarm up here for St. Pat's. I have a gig scheduled tomorrow, it's at a private club so we're waiting for confirmation to hear whether that counts as a "bar" to close or not (the same way the private clubs are exempt from smoking restrictions).

I think this probably will put a lot of venues out of business. When things recover, new places will open, and some will want to feature live music. I don't anticipate that it will be any better or any worse than it has been, because live music has already had a lot of factors against it. I suspect that, initially at least, you'll probably have fewer places that bigger crowds funnel into, which will be great for those places and the bands that play there, not so great for everyone else.