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One Plateau music venue has figured out a work-around for its coronavirus-induced forced closure: holding concerts online.
After Quebec ordered all bars and salles de spectacle to close indefinitely in order to contain the spread of COVID-19, the Diving Bell Social Club (Le Scaphandre in French) created the Stay Home Sessions.
In conjunction with show booker Hot Tramp, an array of local musicians will stage virtual performances over five hours on Saturday evening, with the Diving Bell likely planning more virtual shows in future.
The cover charge (if you can call it that) is a $10 suggested donation, to be made before or during the show — the goal is not to support the Diving Bell as a venue, but to help artists survive the intense financial pressure of a widespread shut-down of social spaces.
As the event for the Stay Home Sessions notes, many musicians are losing money not just from cancelled shows, but also for travel and touring costs that they can’t get refunded. Some musicians have likely supplementary income too, from work in the service industry.
The artists performing online Saturday include:
- Soul singer-songwriter Hanorah
- Alt-RnB songwriter and musician Janette King
- Bilingual pop-RnB singer songwriter Maryze
- 4-piece indie band LAPS
- Punk rock trio Dish Pit
These artists aren’t the only people putting on an online show and fundraiser — drag performers from around the city are also putting on a showcase next Tuesday; find details for that over here.