Rollercoaster year for artists forced to deal with events shutdown
Clampdown has not only wrecked gig plans but hit performers’ pockets, writes Brian Ferguson
For thousands of artists and performers across Scotland, the sudden clampdown on live events meant a dramatic change to not only all of their plans but their ability to earn a decent living.
A year on from the introduction of restrictions, there is still huge uncertainty over how and when they can reunite with audiences.
Comic Mark Nelson, who hosted a regular online show for The Stand during lockdown, says: “The restrictions had an unbelievable impact on me. Essentially my job ceased to exist overnight, which was a very sobering prospect.
“The thought of doing stand up online a year ago was terrifying. We had no idea if there would be an audience, whether the technology would work or if it would just fall flat on his face. It proved a bigger success than we thought possible.
‘My own mental health has deteriorated so much, but without those live streams, it would've been so much worse. They literally kept me going at points.”
Singer and harpist Rachel Newton, says: “I've been involved in quite a few online gigs and, while it's still possible to make that much appreciated connection, for me there's a certain sadness that goes with it.
"I've learned I'm not really a fan of talking to camera and I miss performing to audiences so much. I miss singing with my bandmates in a physical, yearning kind of way. It's actually painful."
When comic and actress Rachel Jackson realised most of her work was going to be from home for the foreseeable she invest in a microphone, studio lights and a new laptop.
She said: “I thought I was going to hate doing Zoom gigs but I actually really enjoy them. Nothing beats gigging in real life, but this is a pretty decent alternative for now. I love being able to gig all over the world."
Leith-based rapper, DJ and producer Nova Scotia had arguably the most remarkable year of any performer, being nominated and then winning the Scottish Album of the Year Award, which she won while she was selfisolating with coronavirus, all while studying sound production at Edinburgh College.
She said: “I have felt an intense pressure inside my head over the last year which has told me to keep doing stuff. That’s been my main motivator.
"As soon as the pandemic hit a lot of people who had music ready to go out put it out to try to combat what was going on. I really felt I had to try to keep up.
“I’ve only had a couple of weeks. I feel like I’ve grown up so much as an artist over the last year. I feel a lot more confident in myself.” Although hopes are high that the Scottish Government will next week indicate when events may be able to resume, any return to normality is likely to be a long way off. Newton admits: “I’m wary of the responsibility in bringing people together again. The thought that people could fall ill attending a gig I’m involved in scares me.
“I’m trying to adapt to a much less predictable future. It's exhausting to try and predict what will happen, so I'm taking it all as it comes and appreciating every second I get to make music with and for others again."