The Show Must Go On ... COVID, closures and the impact on local arts scene

With bars, venues and restaurants constantly opening and closing; the confusion around live concerts continues.

The vast majority of sound engineers, promoters and managers have been out of work since the first lockdown was announced.

Alternatively, artists have switched to online events. But without the correct technical guidance and professional assistance, some artists have struggled to adapt to virtual performances.

Gerry Craig is a local music producer and sound engineer who has been working in the industry for over five years.

Every weekend up until March, Gerry would’ve been conducting sound checks and helping performers feel as comfortable as possible on stage.

“The Government is telling people to re-train, that doesn’t really cut the mustard,” he said.

“The arts are public; it brings people together. Although in another way, it has blossomed. You got people who cannot work, and now they have all this time on their hands to be creative.”

Gerry hasn’t let lockdown completely halt his passion for music. At his home studio he has organised online gigs with local band Dirty Faces and Donegal outfit Blackbird and Crow. He feels that performers and technicians collaborating is more important now than ever.

“It drives a demand in that direction for people who are already skilled in that area to team up, offering up these services to bands who have been sitting behind closed doors.”

The Arts Council NI have put forward a fund for out-of-work artists who are currently struggling. The ‘Individual Emergency Resilience Programme’ is offering finance for up to 400 applicants.

“I think there is a serious, serious misconception that the arts are not important,” said Hannah Richardson, who is the front woman and guitarist in local band Cherym.

Hannah believes the creative industry has been undervalued.

“The next time there is a lockdown, don’t bother watching films on Netflix, because that’s art; Don’t bother listening to music, and don’t bother reading a book, because that’s the arts as well.”

Cherym’s last performance before lockdown was at Kelly’s Bar in Portrush. The band have had to cancel their UK tour this Autumn due to the restrictions.

“I’ve always liked the feeling of being in a live band. There is an energy in that, which doesn’t compare to playing on your own.”

Due to the restrictions on social gatherings, Cherym have had to seek support financially. The band got accepted for a grant called ‘Help Musicians NI,’ which focuses on performers and musicians who are trying to make ends meet.

The fund was put forward by the Arts Council NI. “Music is our main income; we rely on gigs to pay rent for things like our practise room,” Hannah said. “As a musician, I felt lucky there was something there like the Arts Council. We recently done some recording sessions over at Vada Studios in Birmingham. Without the financial support we wouldn’t have been able to make it over.”

In 2011 The North West Regional College opened a new Music and Performing Arts building. Grainne McNamara has been teaching at the College for 13 years and is now the Curriculum Manager for the Music and Performing Arts department.

“It has turned everything we do on its head. We’re updating the facilities all the time and because of the pandemic, we’ve responded by ordering high streaming equipment,” she said.

Due to the current measures; tutorials and lectures have moved to an online teaching platform.

The college has supplied their students with additional help such as laptops and dongles so that they can boost their internet connection.

“Obviously it is very difficult in a college situation because you can’t get these resources immediately. There’s a big process involved in attaining the resources you need.

“We see up to 100-150 applications for just music based courses. The main age group we would see day to day is 17-24 years old. There is a big appetite for it in the town and surrounding areas.”

Kate Lynch is studying Events Management at the Magee Campus, and is living in Derry for the first time. Kate is an active gig-goer and is passionate about the importance of live performances.

“The intimate experience of live gigs can be very difficult to replicate onto an online platform, it’s almost impossible!”, she said.

“One of the reasons I chose to study in Derry was because of the great facilities and the vibrant social life.

“The city has always produced great bands. I used to travel up from Donegal to visit friends living here. I loved going to see local artists perform in places like Bennigans.”

Virtual performances have been comforting yet frustrating. The festive season has already kicked off and more art forms will have to adapt to online productions.

Live streaming services such as Zoom and YouTube have been the new norm for live events. The limitations of these models have been expressed, but when will the Government express their plans for the future of live entertainment?