2020 has been a shitshow. And as gigs get cancelled and revenue opportunities for bands are stifled, musicians are going to find more and more inventive ways of sharing their music and generating an income.
There are ways in which you can help.
But we know something else. We know that the musicians we've loved for years and the new bands we're just getting to know will step up. Unable to perform live, they're going to get creative in ways we've never seen. Labels are going to do things they've never done before. Platforms will find new ways helping.
People are going to innovate. And under the most trying of circumstances, stars will be born.
We don't know what to expect, but it's going to be interesting. We're going to share those stories, and bring you a little closer to a music business doing things differently.
March 25
Devon Allman of the Allman Betts Band is going “on tour” from his house. Allman plans to change themes from show to show to keep it fresh and says: “One night will be cover songs, one night originals, one night Q&A live, one night special guests, one night request hour, etc.” The shows confirmed so far will take place at 7pm CT tonight (Midnight GMT), 7pm CT on Friday and Sunday at 4pm CT (10pm GMT) on Allman’s Facebook page. Gibson Guitars and Earthworks Audio will supply the gear which will also be given away over the course of the "tour". A virtual tip jar will allow fans to donate to Allman and his crew, while the performances will be uploaded to other social media platforms the following day.
Alice In Chains frontman William DuVall was forced to postpone his UK and European tour earlier this month, but to lessen the blow, he'll perform a live set via his Facebook page tonight at 8pm GMT (4pm ET). DuVall will perform tracks from his debut solo album One Alone.
March 24
The White Buffalo will be performing an exclusive and interactive live stream on cadenza.tv on Sunday, April 5 at 12pm PST. He'll be performing songs from upcoming album On The Widow's Walk for the first time, alongside some of his older material.
Brett from Glorious Sons is writing a series of songs called Isolation Songs and putting them out on the band's YouTube channel. He's broadcasting a new song most days. "At home waiting this thing out," he says, "trying to keep my mind busy."
Snow Burial will be live streaming an acoustic performance via the Prosthetic Records YouTube channel. The stream will take place on 26 March at 8 EDT/ 7 CDT/ 5 PDT. The band will be accepting donations throughout the performance, and will be sending all money raised to The Greater Chicago Food Depository.
Shinedown have released a new single from their unreleased archive titled Atlas Falls. Apparently never heard before, a download of the single is now available with the purchase of a limited edition T-shirt. All proceeds from the single and shirt go to humanitarian aid organisation Direct Relief, who are providing personal protective equipment and essential medical items to health workers responding to coronavirus.
Live Lesson Masters – a new online learning platform focusing on music, yoga and cooking – has been launched to give struggling members from the global music community a chance to keep a revenue stream going during coronavirus. They call it "a network of your favourite musicians and instructors who are ready to impart their lifetime of knowledge and experience upon you. Real time, face to face, all online." Classes are bookable now.
March 23
Randy Bachman and his son Tal are to broadcast a livestream this evening from their home on Vancouver Island, Canada. A statement says, "This premiere special musical union is in response to the realities of social distancing, and will be a testament to the powers of music as a source of healing and community for everyone." The livestream will be broadcast at on YouTube at 6pm PST.
March 20
Jack White's Third Man Records have announced Third Man Public Access, a series of daily live-streamed virtual gigs to take place from the label’s well-known Blue Room in Nashville, broadcast via YouTube. They will take place daily at 1pm EST.
Sub Pop trio Moaning will be streaming a virtual listening party of their new album, Uneasy Laughter, via YouTube on Friday, March 20th at 6pm GMT/ 11am PST / 2pm EST.
Following the cancellation of their show with Body Count last Friday, Cro-Mags performed their full planned set as 'The Quarantine Show' online instead. The full, multi-camera performance is now available to watch on YouTube.
Rising UK rocker Jack J Hutchinson is launching a collection of live recordings and special performances that will provide his fans with music over the coming months. It all starts with a live listening party tonight at 9pm UK time on Jack's Facebook page.
The Lockdown Music Festival this weekend showcases 16 of the hottest blues rock acts from all around the world – without anyone, bands or audience, having to leave the house. And it's all free. Read more.
Online piano lesson providers Scoove are currently offering free courses for beginners. Read more.
Canadian rockers The Wild - who we described as "absolutely reeking of rot-gut moonshine and hi-octane gasoline" have announced a quarantine concert. It'll take place Saturday March 21 at 8pm GMT. You can tune in on their Facebook page. “In a time where our genre has never seemed more lost, we stay the course,” says lead vocalist and guitarist, Dylan Villain, “some of us still believe in rock and roll music and this album is for those of us that do.”
Bandsintown has announced two new features aimed at helping music fans and artists cope with event cancellations. Watch Live is a service that allows the artists listed on their platform to promote their livestreams, while next week will see a Bandsintown Live Music Marathon raise money for the MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund.
Tuk Smith, former leader of Biters and now frontman for Atlanta's Tuk Smith & The Restless Hearts, is taking requests for songs he'll perform live from his home. Read more.
From 7am UK time today and 7am tomorrow (midnight-midnight PCT), Bandcamp are waiving their usual cut and directing 100% of sales revenue to their artists. Read more.
March 19
Napalm Records have launched a website to not only keep fans informed about tour postponements and cancellations, but to also help artists. The website – which will be updated on a regular basis – will also provide details on artists’ crowdfunding drives, live streams and more. Read more.