Editor'Note: Concert halls, theaters and cinemas have remained closed since the unexpected outbreak of COVID-19 in the beginning of 2020. Although it may seem that people are quick to treat art and art venues as dispensable during a pandemic, music and musicians always find a way to stick around.
The unexpected outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 has changed everything. With a large portion of the world's population forced to stay at home or to social distance, the entertainment industry has become one of the most shattered sectors of the world economy.
With concert halls closed and live events canceled, music fans could only sit in front of a computer screen and ruminate about the enjoyment of immersing themselves in a live concert. However, as we've come to realize, music never went away even during the pandemic's peak.
From Italy's balcony concerts to the "One World: Together At Home" live aid in the U.S., musicians around the world have been contributing in every way they can.
The sound of music: be there for all
As of early June, renown Chinese singer Lin Ping had already recorded five new songs, all of which express gratitude towards the medical workers who ran to help the people of Wuhan, consoling people's suffering during the pandemic, and looking forward to a future when everything goes back to normal.
Lin's hometown is in Hubei Province, the epicenter of the outbreak. She started working on her music in late January, when the shutdown measures were first put into place.
"I started to contact my composers and lyricist almost immediately, and it did give me some trouble, because many studios were shut down as well. I managed to find an available studio in the end and have my song recorded," Lin said.
A man flies a kite along the river in Wuhan amid the citywide lockdown, February 5, 2020. /CFP
"It is the first time I pushed forward a song so actively. In fact, I'm usually the one that needs to be hasted."
Lin said she was deeply touched that everyone she contacted was so willing to help, and yet not one of them ever mentioned a word about payment, from the composer, lyricist, singer to the audio mixing engineers, even when some of them were also facing unprecedented challenges.
Lin was not the only Chinese musician who stood out and tried their best to write a song for everyone who needs encouragement to face the pandemic. Chinese pop singers including Li Ronghao, Zhang Yixing, G.E.M, and Hua Chenyu are among those musicians who also rose to the occasion. The encouraging, soothing rhythms have touched millions of people and trended on Chinese social media platform Sina Weibo every time they were released.
"Faced with the disaster, I've never seen the people so united together. Because everyone believes that music has the power to encourage, to sooth and to unite," Lin added, noting that's where the magic of music lies.
Lin Ping, musician, singing during a performance. /Lin Ping
Internet plus: a way out for music, but never the substitution
However, many musicians have been faced with extreme difficulties. According to a report released by the China Association of Performing Arts, during the first quarter of 2020, at least 20,000 live musical events were either canceled or postponed, causing a direct box office loss of two billion yuan (280 million U.S. dollars).
Meanwhile, a report on the condition of musical companies in Q1 conducted by musical industry think tank Music Business China shows that the record labels, live event venue operators and sponsors have all suffered losses, forecasting that some of them may only survive for one to two more months.
The cancellation of live concerts forced many organizations and companies to resort to the internet for a way out.
He Yi, a Chinese soprano and Guqin artist, said that many musicians have had to take to the internet for musical performances and expressions in recent months, as it is nearly the only feasible way during the lockdown. She believes that the pandemic has, to some extent, promoted the development of online musical events that were not getting much attention in the past.
Tools to make and publish music online. /CFP
She also had several music-themed lectures moved from campus to the internet.
"When you get used to it, you'll find that online music has its advantages, for instance, it has no space or time limit, which means it is not only available for those who can walk into the concert halls," said He. She added that online platforms have attracted more international audiences to her music, mostly Chinese traditional genres.
"As you can see, it can spread across the border. And also, it brings the audience closer to me; we are only within one meter from each other – the distance from our phone screens. They interact with me like I'm one of their friends," said He.
But He doesn't believe live concert events can be replaced. Song Xinxin, a renowned Guzheng artist in China, shares the same point of view. Song's live performances in concert halls over the weekend have been canceled as well.
"The live events can never be replaced, no matter the performers or the audience. Certain magnificent energies exist between the performers onstage and the audience that could only be experienced while face to face," said Song. "And there is the problem of loss of sound without the facilities in the concert halls."
He Yi, musician and Guqin artist, is working through the internet during the pandemic. /He Yi
Why do we need music and musicians?
Why do we need music and musicians during the pandemic?
"Music definitely has the power of soothing and relieving, especially during such a time, when people feel depressed and isolated," said He. "While listening to music, people can feel that they are not alone. Listening to music brings us the aesthetic enjoyment, and that refills us with new energy."
Song believes that during times of disaster, art can boom. It is also a time for self-reflection for musicians.
"In recent years before the pandemic, I sometimes felt that music has been over-commercialized. But while staying at home alone in the past several months, musicians have been able to look deeper internally, and their music can get a chance to renew and elevate itself," said Song.
Playing or singing during the pandemic is a process of contribution while at the same time absorbing, the musicians said.
Stock image of a man playing guitar. /CFP
Way back to the concert hall
Now with the pandemic generally brought under control in China, pubs, concert halls and theaters are also gradually reopening in many areas, though still with limitations. Each live event can only sell tickets no more than 30 percent of the whole venue's capacity, and audience members need to be seated with gaps between each other.
However, for the musicians, it means hope. During our interview, all three musicians said they have been working on performance arrangements in the next half year, saying they miss the stages and the concert halls.
Song Xinxin, Guzheng artist, is playing. /Song Xinxin
"The stage is one of the two types of spaces which makes me feel free, and the other is in the mountains," said He.
Maybe it won't be too long before everyone can walk into the concert halls for a live performance, and with a completely new experience, too.
Stock image of a concert hall. /CFP
Deng Junfang has contributed to the article
Cover image designer: Yin Yating