Issue 230 – February 2021

February 2, 2021 in Editorial, Uncategorized

As I write this month’s introductory piece, we're sunk deep in another national lockdown. Tours and festivals are being planned and promoted as we look forward to the summer and autumn, but we still don’t know for sure how the next few months will pan out and whether any of us will feel ready and able to confidently attend live music events again. Streamed gigs have become a staple for musicians of all genres and what began as charming, self-filmed affairs from the kitchen, have turned into full-on “live” productions, such as Erja Lyytinen's and Catfish’s shows. Joe Bonamassa even filled the Ryman with cardboard audience members! Certainly, the pandemic has energised musicians into thinking creatively and finding new and ever-imaginative ways of reaching their audience - and that can only be a good thing. The question now may be: will we ever really want to return to the (and I use the term advisedly) “glory days” of the sweaty venue with sticky carpets, flat beer and the overpowering smell of that bloke’s armpits?
Go Well.
Nicholas John
Editor editor@bluesinbritain.org