By Mannu Shahi

With recent turn of events of COVID-19 becoming a fatal infection threatening the lives of people living throughout the world, music scene and its business side has been immensely effected as like any other profession and economic agendas. The government urging people to not gather around in mass crowds and enable travel restrictions has directly infected the musicians who have largely been depending upon concerts and tours to earn their living. Not only touring musicians, but music teachers and instrument shopkeepers are also distressed by this situation as academies, malls, shops are also due to close soon with the recommendation on people to isolate themselves from their surroundings.
This was primarily seen on international media as big named bands were sequentially announcing postpone on their local shows and tours for an uncertain time period. Artists and bands whose tickets were already sold out had to refund the money back to their audience which has brought an immediate downfall in the economic state of the musicians and the entire industry. Every other platform for musicians to get any chance on earning has thus been completely shut, with the exception of social media sites. Thus musicians worldwide are encouraging their fans to help them sustain by joining in their personal support program like Patreon or buying their merchandise online. Some recent threads of positive online reactions also quote musicians sharing time utilizing methods of recording themselves, writing new materials, printing out new album/ merch designs, switching to online platforms for teaching music, transcribing music for commission amidst others while in the self-quarantine zone.
Nepal, however, with its minimum to none infected reports was able to hold out smaller venue shows up until the recent ban on cinema halls, pubs, discos, clubs etc. seen in action from 19th March 2020. Larger shows organized in outdoor venues were terminated two-three weeks ago with the government instructions, all Holi themed shows were then canceled creating huge loss for organizers anticipating a massive crowd, other similar grand shows like Women in Concert, 1974 AD Australia tour, Underside Japan/ Indonesia tour were postponed until the situation resolves back to normal. The Bangalore based band Gauley Bhai who were here for a month long tour throughout the country were only able to play four shows and return back to India within the shortest notice. Most awaited album launch shows of bands like ASM and Resonance of Roots announced months ago were canceled on the last minute. US based incredible Nepali artist Jerusha Rai who was back home for few shows around the valley and in some regions of India, had her dates interrupted in between. Majority of cover bands working in the Thamel and likely scene have had all their shows dismissed, thus in these difficult times keeping ourselves safe is the highest of priorities and if you do want to extended your help to local bands, contact them personally via their social media pages and offer whatever possible resource you could put forward for their basic survival and emotional support.