The long masked winter
Lockdown hasn’t been wonderful for those involved in live music. Besides putting a dent in the money tube, it goes against everything a performer wants out of life. Audience, applause, etc. However, some are reaching out to the world, and if you know where to look, there are still concerts available.
Why, last night, we had the Barenaked Ladies in our living room, although our attempts to watch on a large screen were mitigated; OK, we failed. Little matter. We still had a chance to hear the show, and applaud, albeit virtually.
Similarly, this afternoon I stumbled upon a live concert from Dublin, featuring Moya and Mairéad. Great craic. Again, virtual applause. Now, to be fair, in regular times I wouldn’t have been in the hall, but that’s not important. Yesterday, and today, I had a better time than usual. Something about the new familiarity with Zoom means that performers are adapting. I’ll be “watching” for other such moments in the near future.
I have been buying into artist support by download for several years. Including Mairéad. No idea if I’ll ever get to go to a “real” concert, but I do what I can.
The numbers keep climbing. As of today, Canada has had a half-million confirmed cases of coronavirus. The mortality count is a little cloudier, given the associated term “comorbidity”. Little matter; you don’t get a do-over, and you’re just as dead. As well, we’re hearing about mutations, which doesn’t bode well for a return to normal, short term. I guess this will be “the long masked winter”.
