The entertainment industry has pretty much closed down in reality. Bars are closed, event spaces are likely to be closed until May or even September and festivals are dropping like flies.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t get a fix of creativity during quarantine.
Many people and companies are offering free entertainment, and I’m not talking about white men in their bedrooms creating podcasts, but online gigs, theatre to your living room, and charity quizzes for everyone.
Levis has created Levis 5:01, where musicians take over Levis instagram at precisely 5:01pm, every weekday, to play a gig. This week has seen the likes of Sigrid, Brett Young, Moses, and Danileigh.
The livestreams are personal and atmospheric with artists playing from their own quarantined homes.
The National Theatre is also getting involved and is streaming a show every Thursday night during lockdown.
This kicked off last Thursday with a showing of One Man, Two Guvnors, featuring James Corden. The performance is available to watch for the following seven days until the next show is broadcast.
In the coming month, we have Jane Eyre, Treasure Island, and Twelfth Night respectively, to look forward to.
Tmrw Mag have opened their own arena. Well, they’re also showcasing talent on their Instagram Live every night. Everyday the act is announced, and every night the magazine hosts a killer show.
Meanwhile, iconic Manchester venue, Band on the Wall are looking into their own history during the lockdown and sharing film of past events.
Currently, their website is showing the Cory Henry & the Funk Apostles gig from 2015. But be sure to watch that space, because more is promised.
Bongo’s Bingo, the Liverpool based, touring late night bingo, have been offering free bingo sessions throughout the quarantine.
On their opening night they had over 35,000 people logged on and playing. If you want a little bit of fun and to, perhaps, win a Henry Hoover, then it’s a great use of an evening.
Andrew Lloyd Webber is also getting in on this action and from last Friday, shared his first show of the quarantine: The 2000 adaption of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat. This show will be available, on YouTube, for 48 hours and another will appear next Friday.
There are many other Instagram and other social media shows available.
From comedy, with Rob Beckett documenting his pain, to many musicians, including Nina Nesbitt, Lizzo, and Sea Girls, playing live from their own accounts. The venues might be closed, but the arts play on.
All of this music and theatre is free to watch and enjoy, but donations are welcomed by most of these people and venues.
