Seán Macdonald Neill 

Project Objectives

The current project aims to research the live entertainment industry during Covid19 as well as how live musicians’ are attempting to overcome the pandemic.
The most important areas under investigation include: the experiences and concerns of live musicians’ during Covid19, livestream activities such as Zoom and Facebook Live, the emotional difficulties musicians’ have faced during lockdown as well as the return to live music after two years of restrictions.

Project Outcomes

In the project, the most significant learnings arose from the survey responses, interviews and seminar.
Live music is designed to be shared and felt by both the artist and the audience and without that connection, neither the musician or the audience can be truly content.
It has been found that the lack of connection, community and creativity during lockdown has affected musicians’ abilities to emotionally express themselves which has led to lower self-esteem, wellbeing and productivity.
Musicians’ have experienced a lack of social interaction, a lesser sense of community and an absence of interest when performing virtually.
Due to the competitive nature of the music industry, professional musicians’ have already had to adapt their livelihoods’ prior to COVID. Musicians’ are subsequently engaging with a lot more online teaching, production and session work.