“Necessity is the mother of invention” is a saying that has come into new light during the COVID-19 pandemic. It has impacted everyone, forcing people from all walks of life to become creative. Musicians are one group of people who have had to get extra creative in order to do their jobs—their typical work requires special equipment and much of it is performing in front of crowds. Through events like drive-in concerts and virtual broadcasts, artists are still finding ways to perform and make an impact.
Many musicians scheduled concerts and tours before the pandemic and to cancel these would be to waste enormous amounts of time and money spent planning. To avoid mass cancellations, many artists have changed their venues to drive-in movie theatres. This allows them to connect with fans and follow social distancing regulations. Drive-in concerts appear to be most popular among older stars, including Garth Brooks, Blake Shelton, and the Beach Boys. These events did not go without scrutiny, however, and one in particular sparked controversy. The Chainsmokers headlined a concert on July 25, 2020 in Southampton, N.Y. that served as a fundraiser for a number of organizations including No Kid Hungry and Children’s Medical Fund of NY. A video of the event circulated the Internet, causing outrage because the video appeared to show concertgoers not following social-distancing guidelines. New York Governor, Andrew Cuomo, retweeted the video, calling it an “illegal and reckless endangerment of public health.” The organizer of the event, In The Know Experiences, called the video misleading, and that they followed New York public health laws, performing temperature checks and enforcing social distancing.
Many younger artists are taking advantage of virtual platforms to play music. These events range from full-length virtual concerts to short features. The organization Global Citizen produced a virtual concert that aired on April 18, 2020. According to NBC, some are calling it the largest online gathering since the broadcast of the 1985 Live Aid concert. Organized by Lady Gaga, it featured legends, namely Celine Dion, the Rolling Stones, and Elton John. Newer stars were also present, like Lizzo, Billie Eilish, and John Legend. The event was a success, raising $128 million for pandemic front-liners. Another notable event was the appearance of the hit musical Hamilton’s original cast on John Krasinksi’s Youtube show, Some Good News. Lin-Manuel Miranda, the show’s creator, writer, and star, brought the cast together to sing for a fan over Zoom. The video has now amassed over 13 million views.
Musicians have showcased their resilience and passion for what they do during the COVID-19 pandemic. In order to keep doing the job they love, they have become innovative. Whether it be a concert at a drive-in movie theatre or a virtual event, they have been able to promote joy and provide distractions. These events have made it apparent that just like necessity is the mother of invention, the pandemic is the mother of innovation.
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