What Coronavirus Means For Music, and How to Cope
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Image Credit: Cottonbro
In March 2020, the CEO of Universal Records contracted the coronavirus. Over the past few weeks, the virus has been infiltrating different industries, and celebs who thought they were once invincible to illness that the rest of us normals are susceptible to. The world is slowly becoming a ghost town. Sports arenas are empty, as are music halls and dine-in restaurants. As humans, we find solace and connection in other people, as well as the energy that comes with all these suspended events.
In an attempt to “flatten the curve,” or reduce the chance of Covid-19 taking over our nation, businesses all over are closing for the remainder of the month and perhaps longer to try to minimize public interaction and spreading of the virus. This is a logical decision to make, especially given the serious repercussions for infants, seniors, pregnant women, and those with long-term health conditions.
The consequences for entrepreneurs are just as dire, as stock markets crash internationally and businesses are forced to shut down. Folks are being instructed to stay home from work, and while some companies are offering paid leave, kids all over the U.S are stuck without lunch and an education. It’s a tough time for anyone to make income and survive, and many of us have that an impending doom that the second Depression is going to hit us very soon.
The social repercussions are just as debilitating, with most people self-quarantining themselves and being asked to practice social distancing. This means staying away from public arenas, large groups of people, and generally, remaining two arms distance from other human beings. While some of us are able to be with our loved ones at this time, it’s still extremely isolating to not be able to go to the gym or attend any of the social events and restaurants that we’re used to going to. Yes, capitalism is suffering, but so is our mental health.
Listening to songs can bring people from all walks of life, all over the world together. It’s a barrier-breaking way to communicate and empathize with the world around us. But music has pretty much been put to a halt since the virus has required a more intense level of action. Music is insidious in everything we do - by nature, it’s social. It plays in the backgrounds of restaurants and stores which are now shuttered, and it’s the soundtrack to socializing with others. It fills up the silence and in turn, fills us with positive vibes. Clubs and bars have also shut down, reducing the chances of new tracks being heard.
Music festivals like Glastonbury are no more, which affects the income flow of musicians and also prevents new acts from being put on the map. Lil Baby just recently released an album, which would garner way more listens and exposure if these venues that usually play his beats were open. Instead, we have to listen through our headphones, which isn’t exactly the ideal way to match the energy of the music we listen to. Sure, we have our sad and introspective days where we prefer to listen to certain tracks alone. But too much of that can weigh heavy on the mind, body and soul.
Even though this chaos isn’t expected to last more than a month or so, it begs the question: would music survive without venues and social interaction? We’re already living much of our lives behind computer and phone screens, but through multiple generations, music has remained the one constant that brings people together physically.
Take a Dolly Parton concert, for instance. Dolly has a bevy of fans from all across the United States, ranging from the most buttoned-up conservative to the most free-spirited liberal. Younger and older individuals are both part of the cult following that is Dolly Parton’s legacy, and it’s what brings people with different perspectives together in harmony. If people didn’t have Dolly to bond over in public, and instead live-streamed the experience from home, would it be as epic?
That being said, music is an essential coping mechanism to get us all through this difficult time. It’s a symbol of hope. Listen to your favorite tunes with your loved ones - even if you have to sing it from the rooftops and balconies, like the beautiful souls of Italy have been doing.
Use the time alone to really flesh out and expand your musical identity. Get out of your comfort zone and listen to new genres. Take time to really dissect those notes and maybe even learn a new instrument. When the world does eventually re-emerge, you’ll be twice as appreciative for the existence of music - we already are!