Coronavirus vs. live music

The coronavirus is not only disrupting travel, markets, and people’s health, it’s also making things difficult for live music.

Just yesterday, the Singaporean grindcore band Wormrot posted on Instagram that the guys turned around minutes before boarding a flight to Zurich for a festival.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

The promoter did his best trying to keep the show going and we appreciate that . Hope this virus dies down quick so this show could start running once again. . The show with Napalm Death, Demolition Hammer, Eyehategod, Misery Index, Rotten Sound and Bat has been postponed. Words from the show: 🦠 Coronavirus Update #3 🦠 🚫🚫🚫 CANCELLED/POSTPONED 🚫🚫🚫 ℹ️‼️ All tickets remain valid! Due to the current coronavirus situation, we are forced to postpone SOLD OUT! Züri Gmätzlets Vol. I. Unfortunately, we couldn’t find an alternative venue, even though several were in discussion. The replacement date will be communicated at a later date when the general hysteria is over. We will inform you on all of our channels. We are deeply sorry, but there’s noting we can do about it.

A post shared by WORMROT (@wormrot.official) on Mar 5, 2020 at 9:50am PST

Over at NPR, Anastasia Tsioulcas wrote about how various events from classical to metal concerts and festivals are being postponed, cancelled, or streamed instead of proceeding as normal because of the coronavirus.

Green Day, Lacuna Coil, and Slipknot have separately postponed tours of Asia, the Ultra Music Festival is reportedly postponed, Jakarta’s Hammersonic Festival has been officially postponed, SXSW and Coachella have been cancelled, and the Decibel Magazine Tour has been cancelled as well.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has guidance for “mass gatherings or large community events” aimed at organizers and staff, and basic tips for individuals to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Concert goers may do well by keeping these guidelines in mind.

Photo: Pixabay

3/12/20: This post has been updated with more cancellation info.