As with many sectors, music and live entertainment have been severely impacted by the global Coronavirus pandemic.
In fact, across Australia the industry has recorded an estimated $330 million in lost gigs so far.
Closer to home, our talented pool of local musicians and singers were among the first workers affected when gatherings of people both large and small were restricted, local events cancelled and our pubs and clubs closed indefinitely.
While the financial hardships faced by the music industry are very real, the fact is we all suffer when there is no live music. Now more than ever, we need music to lift our spirits and bring us together during this period of self-isolation.
One way Council is helping during this time is the Thursday Night Live – Lockdown Series; a weekly one-hour, live music event giving our region’s homegrown performers the opportunity to work and share their music with an online audience during this difficult time.
Since the series launched on 9 April, there has been a strong show of support from online audiences with the performances being viewed nearly 14,000 times, and generating high levels of engagement with people commenting, liking and sharing across Facebook.
It has been wonderful to see our local community getting involved and getting behind the performers each week and it has been particularly exciting to see viewers tuning in from across Australia and even overseas.
I encourage everyone to jump on Council’s Facebook page each Thursday night to watch the performers and if you can, go one step further by downloading their music if it’s available. We all must do what we can to support local performers now and into the future.
Why not go even further and make Thursday night a chance to provide support to our local businesses? Many of Penrith’s amazing cafes and restaurants are open and have tailored their normal dine-in menus to be enjoyed as takeaway meals or through home delivery.
Live music and delicious food are a recipe for a great night in.
The Thursday Night Live – Lockdown Series is livestreamed from Council’s Facebook page each Thursday from 7.30pm.
Find out more at penrith.city/upcoming-events and head to visitpenrith.com.au to see all your local dining options.
