Local musicians are teaming up to livestream shows during coronavirus pandemic.
The spread of coronavirus and the resulting orders to quarantine have left countless Kansas Citians without needed streams of income. One of the first and hardest hit groups were local musicians, as venues canceled performances and the local government instituted measures to limit gatherings in an attempt to slow the spread of the virus.
With local musicians out of work and unable to pay bills as tours and weddings were canceled and bars shuttered, the Quarantine Concert Series aims to help by livestreaming concerts ranging from indie rock to folk to classical.
“I know people are hurting in the gig economy right now,” says musician Laurel Morgan Parks of The Wires. “Musicians were some of the first to lose their jobs.”
Parks, who books the acts, put together a plan and a team. Her husband Ben Parks created a website. John Bersuch handled set design and technical arrangements. Giuliano Mingucci oversaw production and broadcasting.
“We will work out any technical issues and figure out what needs to be done to make it work in the best way possible,” Laurel Morgan Parks says.
Dark indie-folk band Of Tree was scheduled to perform the inaugural concert on March 28. Performances take place in a private venue in the West Bottoms equipped with a stage and sound.
“Smaller acoustic acts will be able to perform interactive concerts without leaving the comfort of their homes,” Laurel Morgan Parks says. “This will be especially necessary in a lockdown situation.”
The online concert series will provide an avenue for musicians to unite and cross- promote each concert “instead of everyone trying to make it happen for just their fan base,” Parks says. “I have experience organizing and making things happen through my business, Drunken Fiddles. This is a great project for my brain to crunch on instead of worrying about what is happening in the world. I hope it brings many people together and that musicians get paid.”
GO: Online ticketing, information and an email list is available at thequarantineconcerts.com and their Facebook page.
