A RETURN TO THE STAGE
The performing arts industry makes a come back after the COVID-19 shutdown.
Coachella was one of the many festivals cancelled this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Covid pandemic sweeping across the world has affected many important industries. The music and theatre industries are no exception. With a six-month total shutdown costing over 10 billion in sponsorships, the music industry is undergoing many changes.
Broadway, one of the most famous stages for musical affairs, was dark for the longest period of time in its existence. With the lights back on, many of its shows are now open to viewers who are either vaccinated or masked. Popular musicals such as, ‘Hamilton,’ ‘The Lion King, ‘Lackawanna Blues,’ ‘Wicked’ and ‘Chicago’ are back on stage.
Many other music shows were canceled as well. The Country Music Awards, Stagecoach and Coachella are among the more notable. Artists such as BTS and Florida Georgia Line were forced to disappoint millions of fans.
“ Music is a big part of who we are as people. If we could find a way back to [live performances] it would be amazing to see. — Nick Lavin
While famous artists like Travis Scott and Rage Against the Machine, both of whom were supposed to headline Coachella, are suffering from the pandemic, smaller artists like Bring Me the Horizon have profited from the pandemic. After releasing Post Human: Survival Horror, the band is seeing massive success thanks to the plague-themed EP.
Although few artists have been able to release music due to the pandemic, Drake and Kanye West both managed to drop albums in the past month: ‘Certified Lover Boy’ and ‘Donda’. The albums are the two top debuting albums of the year so far.
“Albums like [Certified Lover Boy] are planned to be performed later this year,” Lavin said. “I do think it’s a good thing, if the right precautions are taken.”
