In his latest column, Tameside Radio presenter Dave Sweetmore writes about a new documentary on the devastation the coronavirus pandemic has had on the music industry, ahead of the director joining him on his next show.
Whatever your favourite pastimes or hobbies are, chances are since the Covid-19 pandemic hit the UK in March last year, it’s been at a standstill.
It feels like none of us have had any social life or activities taking place at all. For many of us fortunate to work in the music industry, our hobbies have also become our careers.
Music brings everybody together in a way that nothing else does, and going to see a band or performer, whether at a local music venue or arena or stadium, is a way of life for many.
Behind the scenes at a gig, festival, theatre show, or entertainment event of any kind, so much goes on behind the scenes which people aren’t always aware of.
From sound and lighting, to production and promotion, catering to merchandise, stagehands, photographers and filmmakers, it really isn’t just the musicians, DJs and actors we see on the stage that have been hit hard.
Most of this work is done by freelancers, and the national lockdown caused by Covid-19 has been a disaster.
Lack of support from the government has caused protests in major cities across the UK, and generated a lot of media attention.
Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham and Greater Manchester’s Night-Time Economy Advisor Sacha Lord have worked tirelessly to raise awareness of the situation, and recently a brilliant short documentary has been made by industry professionals who have seen first-hand the devastation the pandemic has caused, and continues to do, for those who work in the live music industry.
‘This Is Just An Interval’ features promoters, musicians, sound engineers, tour managers, photographers, and many more, who keep the live music scene alive, and they tell their own stories of how they have been affected over the last year.
It’s available to watch online now and can be found available via any internet search engine.
The documentary’s director Matthew Boone, who is also responsible for this amazing project, joins me this Monday night on Tameside Radio from 7pm to tell us more.
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