Uh Oh - Maybe This Stupid Coronavirus is Having an Effect on Audience Numbers

[Dynacord]

Over here in northern Germany, it's quite simple. Everything is cancelled. Cinemas, Concerts, Discos, Clubs, Theaters, you name it. Nothing is happening. Schools are closed. Everyone is politely asked to stay at home as much as possible.
But we're Germans. Work is still on for those that don't do theatre, music, teaching or suchlike.

Same here in Poland. All gatherings of 50 or more banned. Similar in Czech Republic. I've had 24 gigs for April-May canceled (ranging from club gigs to festivals) in Slovakia, Czech Republic, Germany and Poland. Only things open here are food shops, pharmacies, gas stations and banks. Restaurants can only do take out or delivery. Borders closed starting at midnight and any nationals/registered residents returning have to go into 14 day quarantine.

 

[BassCliff]

Hi,

In before the lock to just say we've had four gigs cancelled just this month and others postponed until late summer/fall, and to post my own corona.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

 

[Jscriv]

Every tour for the next 30 days is postponed through here. I was set to open for Doyle (misfits) April 2nd but alas bit has been pushed back as well.

 

[devnulljp]

Now you know what it's like playing jazz

 

[joeeg33]

Had last night canceled, and my Sunday wedding postponed. I actually can’t believe my gig for tonight, Hard Rock Atlantic City is on! Even though the Hard Rock site says all entertainment is suspended. When we asked about that, they said just the National acts! So, we are in the lobby bar 7-10 tonight.

there you have it folks, bar band lives don’t matter!

 

[ole Jason]

Everything is cancelled here in Louisville. Most of my musician friends without a 'day job' are low key freaking out as all of their students have also cancelled lessons. The next big fear is the cancellation of the KY Derby festivities. There are a massive amount of well paying gigs attached to the event and the week leading up to it. Not a good time to be part of the gig economy!

 

[sean_on_bass]

Curious if anyone is canceling their own gigs rather than letting the venue make the decision. I have two restaurant gigs this weekend, one tonight and one tomorrow, and am struggling with the fact that it might be irresponsible to even play them. Not only for my own health but the health of others. I told the BL i won't be making the one tomorrow, but plan to go tonight as my last hoorah for a little bit since i am assuming every other gig is going to get cancelled for at least the rest of the month.

I'm kind of surprised a restaurant is even willing to take the risk of hiring a band with little prospect of many patrons even showing up. Seems like desperation that may come at the cost of spreading a virus. Or am i just too caught up in the hysteria?

 

[Omega Monkey]

In what area would that be?

DC. Off the top of my head, the primary touring act large club in town has cancelled shows, a mid sized theater, quite a number of smaller bar and club venues, etc...

Some of the smaller stuff seems to still be continuing though.

Anyway, I'm hoping things get under control maybe in the next couple weeks, but I think we're probably looking at about a month or more in densely populated areas before things get get to more or less normal. Schools are also closed until at least April right now.

 

[devnulljp]

My band has been shut down indefinitely!! I've already lost over $300+!! I depend on my gig money to pay certain bills. I was looking at a $1000 payday total for this month. This sucks big time!

Everything is cancelled here in Louisville. Most of my musician friends without a 'day job' are low key freaking out as all of their students have also cancelled lessons. The next big fear is the cancellation of the KY Derby festivities. There are a massive amount of well paying gigs attached to the event and the week leading up to it. Not a good time to be part of the gig economy!

I know a bunch of Cuban musicians and they tell me they are valued and given a basic guaranteed income to further their craft there. Wouldn't that be nice? Allowing people to contribute to cultural activities without worrying about $$. Be good for everyone in the long run.

I've had 3 good gigs in the coming week cancelled and looks like others will be off too for the foreseeable future. I also teach martial arts, so that's suspended too.
Good thing I've been telecommuting in my main dayjob for 20 years, so the only effect on my income is I'll get to do more productive work because of the downtime. I realise not everyone is in such a good position though.

 

[wmhill]

even worse than regular gigs- how about those open mic/jam night gigs? Maybe change the name to "musical petri-dish night"

 

[LBS-bass]

I have a show tonight. I have been expecting a cancellation, but it will not happen. Our mayor is encouraging people to continue to visit local establishments or order food to eat at home, just not to gather in larger crowds. We are expected to promote our shows, and I have been struggling with the responsible way to do this.

It's a small venue and, typically, a small crowd. There will likely be less than 30 people in attendance so I am encouraging people to come out if they are bored but to keep a respectable distance from one another. I am notorious for giving hugs to people, so I have promised that I am all out of hugs for now, but will have plenty of elbow bumps if anyone wants them.

My main issue with people being encouraged to continue to participate in the local economy by patronizing restaurants and bars either in person or through Doordash is that, even if you stay home, the people who work in those places preparing your food and drinks can be transmitting the virus to you. So how does that help?

On the other hand, people are going to venture out due to boredom no matter what I say or do and, if they do, they should be encouraged to be as safe as possible.

The club owner "heart emojied" my post about this show so I'm sure it will go on as scheduled. I'd rather stay home.

 

[turf3]

Here in the Boston area everything's getting cancelled.

 

[Rip Van Dan]

Maybe I should sell myself to the local bars as THE band to book now in the current environment! One that has zero followers, won't bring a big crowd, plays shorter sets than expected of songs no one knows or likes....and poorly, and drives those that do show up back out the door. Safe for everyone!!!
Now...to actually form a band....

ROFLMAO!!

 

[SBassman]

Curious if anyone is canceling their own gigs rather than letting the venue make the decision. I have two restaurant gigs this weekend, one tonight and one tomorrow, and am struggling with the fact that it might be irresponsible to even play them. Not only for my own health but the health of others. I told the BL i won't be making the one tomorrow, but plan to go tonight as my last hoorah for a little bit since i am assuming every other gig is going to get cancelled for at least the rest of the month.

I'm kind of surprised a restaurant is even willing to take the risk of hiring a band with little prospect of many patrons even showing up. Seems like desperation that may come at the cost of spreading a virus. Or am i just too caught up in the hysteria?

We initiated cancellation for tonight's gig.

If you are concerned about doing the right thing, then I recommend you not wait for the venue, and make your own decision. Most venues in my area are properly initiating cancels, but some are using the opportunity to advertise to bring others in. Meanwhile, I'm in New York, and in my area, assemblies of more than 50 are banned. Which essentially says - All shows should be cancelled, and the venues that aren't should be ashamed.

Not sure what region you are in, and what sort of sickness rate/density you are seeing, but in my area, there is only one Right decision for the next few weeks - Cancel. Anything else is irresponsible.

 

[Craig4003]

I know a bunch of Cuban musicians and they tell me they are valued and given a basic guaranteed income to further their craft there. Wouldn't that be nice?

No. You'd only be allowed to play music the government approves of.

 

[LBS-bass]

We initiated cancellation for tonight's gig.

If you are concerned about doing the right thing, then I recommend you not wait for the venue, and make your own decision. Most venues in my area are properly initiating cancels, but some are using the opportunity to advertise to bring others in. Meanwhile, I'm in New York, and in my area, assemblies of more than 50 are banned. Which essentially says - All shows should be cancelled, and the venues that aren't should be ashamed.

Not sure what region you are in, and what sort of sickness rate/density you are seeing, but in my area, there is only one Right decision for the next few weeks - Cancel. Anything else is irresponsible.

I can't make the call on mine. It's up to either the venue or the LS who booked the show. We are her backing band. If she wants to move forward, I feel like we have to do that.

 

[SBassman]

I can't make the call on mine. It's up to either the venue or the LS who booked the show. We are her backing band. If she wants to move forward, I feel like we have to do that.

I hear you. I would do the same. If I am playing for someone else, I Would be a trooper and follow. But - I would also being verbalizing what I think is the right thing to do. Stay healthy and safe.

 

[Carl Hillman]

Anyone else in the same boat?

I play professionally.
As of last Tuesday I had 9 gigs through the remainder of March. 7 of those have been cancelled in the past 48 hours, and I expect the other 2 to be gone soon as well. 15 gigs in April lined up, but unless the infection "curve" flattens, those will probably also be cancelled.

Of course, I'm bummed out, and a little frightened financially, but I understand why this is being done. Even with these precautions, there will be thousands and thousands of people infected with this dangerous disease. Cancelling events at which people congregate is the only way to fight this thing right now, and sometimes the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.

 

[oranje]

Last night cancelled. Nada till beginning of April.

 

[Carl Hillman]

Maybe I should sell myself to the local bars as THE band to book now in the current environment! One that has zero followers, won't bring a big crowd, plays shorter sets than expected of songs no one knows or likes....and poorly, and drives those that do show up back out the door. Safe for everyone!!!
Now...to actually form a band....

Nothing beats crowd dispersal like a bass solo.