The coronavirus pandemic has forced student musicians at Indiana University to reimagine the way they perform and share their art.
The music industry has been hit hard by the pandemic. Restrictions mandating six feet of distance between one’s self and other people have obliterated the way concertgoers formerly enjoyed shows.
Nightclubs and bars that invited small acts to play short sets during service can no longer afford band fees. College parties are a thing of the past, as are the performances that came with them.
Music organizations like WIUX have partnered with Indiana University to help student musicians and on-campus clubs bring their craft to campus. Unfortunately, even events planned with the best efforts to promote safe listening and attendance can be derailed during the COVID-19 era.
“Especially with COVID and everything else, it’s just bringing a little sense of spirit to campus almost.” said WIUX Special Events Director Nate Branson.
Special Events Director for WIUX Nate Branson discusses his feelings about his role in bringing live music back to Indiana University’s campus.
WIUX’s Pledge Drive was originally scheduled for mid-October. They had a lineup of DJs, blues and hard rock bands, and even an improvisational comedy group. Per their agreement with the University, performances were to take place at designated outdoor venues around campus. However, much to the dismay of WIUX and their booked acts, rain led to postponements of nearly all performances.
IU agreed to move the performances to the week of November 2, 2020. Setup for the concert began before the sun set and included a complex rigging of lights and audio equipment. The band, Leaky Bucket, was able to perform for a crowd of around thirty students, many of which were wandering around campus before being drawn in by electric guitar blasting forth from amps.
But in true 2020 fashion, disaster struck again. The day following the successful performance, one of the members of WIUX tested positive for COVID-19. Out of an abundance of caution and in conjunction with IU, Branson decided it was in the best interest of all parties to permanently cancel the events.
Emma Spartz, the media director for Bloomington Delta Music Club, a group scheduled to perform at one of the cancelled events, says that facing COVID-19 complications has become an occasional hurdle these days.
“We tried to reschedule the show and just turn it into a live stream type of thing just because there was a whole COVID situation with the WIUX pledge drive. Someone had been exposed so we couldn’t do it anymore. Um, that was the second time it was cancelled, too. I think. Maybe, third.” she said.
Members of Bloomington Delta Music Group perform during the first night of the WIUX Pledge Drive. Members of the subgroup, Women of Delta, would have their performance cancelled after an initial postponement.
Indiana University recognized that many of their students relied on performing and listening to music to cope with the pressures of college life. They installed open-air venues around campus that provide platforms for students to play original music. Students can also receive financial compensation for their work.
According to the IU Auditorium website, the open-air venues provide a space for students to practice “busking”, or playing to whomever will listen or walk by, in a safe and socially distance manner.
If you’re interested in attending a campus live music performance, the open air venue schedule of events can be found on the IU Auditorium website. If you would like to get more involved on campus, clubs affiliated with IU can be contacted on beInvolved.com.
