The show must go on as musicians
Entertainers move into virtual reality as mass-gathering ban cancels gigs. By Brianna McIlraith.
Artists around New Zealand are vowing to play on during the coronavirus pandemic.
After today’s Homegrown music festival was postponed because of restrictions on social gatherings, Kiwi rock band Devilskin are releasing a virtual reality gig online from their 2018 Homegrown set.
Bassist Paul Martin said they wanted to provide entertainment to self-isolating fans. ‘‘We thought, perfect, at least we can bring a little bit of us at Homegrown into people’s houses.’’
They are also in the process of creating VR content for their overseas fans following the cancellation of their Like a Storm United Kingdom and Europe tour next month, which they had been planning for more than a year and are looking to reschedule.
‘‘For a lot of bands, it’s also about keeping the message going to people that they’re still there.’’
Martin said the band had been forced to find alternatives to entertain fans.
‘‘This is totally unprecedented and uncharted waters for everyone. We rely on travel to survive and so when that’s slowing down you really do have to look at other ways to stay afloat.’’
Their album Red is still set to release on April 3, but launch parties have been replaced by a live set that will be recorded in VR and released on social media.
Martin said that at a time of such uncertainty, moving online and creating live streams was the way the music industry would
‘‘We’re a hardy bunch, we’ll bounce back.’’ Devilskin bassist Paul Martin
need to go to interact with fans and remain on the music scene while mass gatherings were off.
And while it had taken some time for what was happening to actually sink in for the band, Martin believes the New Zealand industry will continue to thrive.
‘‘We’re a hardy bunch, we’ll bounce back. Things could be worse, things could be a lot worse.’’
On Thursday, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced social gatherings of more than 100 people were banned, causing dozens of festivals, concerts and events to be cancelled or postponed. New Zealand’s largest independent radio station, Radio Active, has also been working with local musicians to provide live-streaming equipment and facilities.
‘‘It has very quickly become a very hard situation for musicians, DJs, production and sound companies, sound techs, venue owners, staff and everyone connected to the music and events industry,’’ station manager Jennifer Kyle said.
‘‘We are currently promoting ways to support the artists and the industry on air. Suggesting people buy merchandise, buy music online and if an event is cancelled don’t take a refund.’’
Kyle said the station was in the early phases of contacting bands who want to stream live shows instead of hosting gigs.