The post-COVID-19 concert scenario (First of two parts)
Be ready with your gloves and masks and to strictly observe social/physical distancing as you attend a concert when COVID-19 is over (let’s hope and pray that it will be soon!).
Listen to concert masters talk about what concerts will be like by then.
Will it take time for people to attend concerts?
Martin Nievera: Sad to say, but the new normal for concerts will have to be done from our homes through live broadcasts on Facebook or Instagram and the likes. Maybe concerts will have to be staged in empty venues and shot as a TV special to be shown online as we slowly graduate to bigger venues when the coast is clear. But entertainment and the spreading of good vibes are very needed during this crisis. That’s why I have taken it upon myself to keep all those people in lockdown company with nightly jam sessions on my official Facebook page from my house to theirs. I feel it is my duty as a singer and a clown to spread some happy light into the usual darkness that we go through during lockdown. This is really a good way to spread cheer and sometimes raise money for those who need it the most.
Rhiza Pascua, MMI Live: It wasn’t too long ago when live entertainment was labeled as recession-proof by economists. People still prioritized entertainment despite their financial situation. Our industry is dependent on the number of people to measure success which meant the larger the audience, the bigger the income.
Alongside the airline business, our industry was one of the industries that was primarily and gravely affected by this COVID-19 pandemic. Our events were postponed one after the other until we had to temporarily shut down. I believe we were among the first ones to get affected and will also be the last one to open, again because we thrive in large crowds. Live music has had major layoffs and furloughs globally.
Veronique del Rosario-Ilagan, Viva Concerts, Inc.: Yes, it would take time.
Erickson Raymundo, Spring Films/Cornerstone: For sure, there will definitely be an adjustment period and it would take time before things go back to normal, particularly in relation to holding big events. But I believe that the length of the adjustment would also depend on how fast a vaccine or cure can be found. The moment a definite remedy is announced, the sooner things can get back to normal.
Anna Puno, Starmedia Entertainment: Yes. Unfortunately, it will take some time for people to attend concerts again. I think people miss being entertained until there is some certainty that we are all safe to go out and be back to “normal.” We all feel the need to be on the safe side. And also, concerts will not be the priority of the people nowadays and even especially after the lockdown. The pandemic has greatly affected the growth of the global economy.
If ever, will there be changes in how concerts will be held?
Martin: Once concerts start opening up to the public again, there will have to be changes in how we seat the audience and maybe friendlier prices should be given since everyone will definitely be coming from a place where they will have to prioritize their expenses. Concerts are not on top of that list.
Rhiza: Much as I want to get back to how it used to be, more than a producer, I am a mother FIRST. I wouldn’t allow my children to go to a place where social distancing is not guaranteed, not unless a vaccine is discovered. I don’t think people, like me, will feel at ease going to crowded places.
Veronique: It would be very challenging to mount a concert with all the guidelines on how to be responsible, from social distancing to wearing gloves and masks. Even security people who are tasked to take care of lines at venues would have to observe social distancing as well as how the seating layout inside the venue should be designed. Producers will suffer economically just by removing seats alone which means selling less tickets just so people are six feet in circumference apart from each other. We just have to be more dynamic in creating live entertainment with this new norm that we should all be used to. Maybe online concerts or live performances that can be taped or aired online as live. Even sales people would have to think of packages we can offer to advertisers and the public. It will be the key together with the creatives right now and the near future.
Erickson: For me, nothing can replace live performances. There’s just a special dynamic happening when the artist and the audience are interacting live in one venue. So granted that a cure will be found in the near future, I’m pretty sure we will slowly go back to having live concerts again. But this time, I think producers and fans will still need to observe precautionary measures like proper distancing, screening and wearing masks just to be on the safe side while transitioning. Another thing, with this current quarantine, it also cemented other avenues to connect. As we can see, we have a lot of digital concerts, short-form videos (like Tiktok) and some Zoom-based talk shows which are trends that I will stay even beyond the quarantine.
Anna: What we can do now with technology, we are able to see what else people can do in terms of entertaining, most especially during the ECQ (Enhanced Community Quarantine). We’ve seen virtual concerts where artists can also sing live, interact with their audience in real time, do successful fund-raisers, etc. And it gives audiences a “front row” seat if you could call it that. It could be one of the many ways concerts may be held in the future. But attending live concerts is also a very different and extraordinary experience. We get to appreciate not only the talent but the full production value prepared for you. It’s really different when you are in the venue sharing the same space with your loved ones, singing along with hundreds or thousands of other fans.
Would wearing masks be a “must” and how would social distancing (if enforced) be observed?
Martin: I imagine when we press restart that, yes, the masks and social distancing will have to be enforced, but I am optimistic that we will again one day be able to hug and shake hands.
Rhiza: Wearing masks, even PPEs, or other protective gear, would probably be a part of the new normal that we will have to embrace. Whether going to concerts or walking around the malls, protecting our health and well-being would be prioritized.
Veronique: Masks and gloves should be part of our outfit right now. Social distancing is also what a responsible human being must observe during this pandemic. There are lessons that we should all reflect on and think about. We still have technology that is looking more like our future.
Erickson: Wearing masks should be a “must” and can be added as a security requirement for events in the future. The concept of social distancing is something that is already part of concert and event planning but now it will be enhanced even more, particularly in managing long lines of people outside venues and also when mapping the seating arrangements inside. It’s going to be a challenge for sure but as they say, if there’s a will, there’s a way.
Anna: I think it’s still advisable just to be safe. And it also wouldn’t hurt to practice wearing masks if you need to even if COVID-19 is eradicated. As far as social distancing is concerned, it would be a challenge as seats were made close to each other. But, of course, if enforced we can definitely work something out.
(E-mail reactions at [email protected]. For more updates, photos and videos, visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on Instagram @therealrickylo.)
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