In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, many artists have had to cancel/postpone their tours and festival appearances due to safety concerns. However, just because they can’t play in front of a real audience doesn’t mean they can’t play in front of a virtual one—and that’s exactly what some are doing. Artists are making the best out of a bad situation and live-streaming shows for fans all around the world. Here are some artists who have turned to live-streaming during this time of social distancing:
Ben Gibbard of Death Cab For Cutie
Death Cab For Cutie lead-singer Ben Gibbard announced on Tuesday morning (March 17th) that he will be playing songs every day for the next two weeks and streaming them live from his home studio on Facebook and Youtube, beginning at 6 pm. Gibbard is also asking fans who can to donate to different organizations like Aurora Commons and Teen Feed.
Bastille
Bastille will live-stream a performance via Instagram Live on Sunday, March 22nd, as part of the “Together At Home” campaign—presented by the World Health Organization and Global Citizen.
Vance Joy
Inspired by the “Together At Home” campaign, Vance Joy has announced he will live-stream a performance via Instagram Live on Tuesday, March 24th at 5 pm.
Glass Animals
Glass Animals’ frontman Dave Bayley has released a cover of Nirvana’s “Heart-Shaped Box,” as part of a new series called “Quarantine Covers.” For the series, Bayley will take fan suggestions and cover them from his home studio. The next one may come as soon as Monday and may be incorporated into an Instagram Live.
Courtney Barnett & Lucius
Courtney Barnett and Lucius will be hosting a live-stream concert on Sunday, March 22nd at 5 pm central time. The stream will feature performances from the two women, plus special guests Sharon Van Etten, Fred Armisen, Nathaniel Rateliff, and more. Donations are being accepted and will go toward Oxfam’s COVID-19 Relief Fund.
Black Fret Presents Austin Love & Lightstream
For five days, Black Fret will stream 6 hours of Austin music live from the historical Scholz Garten beginning at 4 pm each day. Artists vary each day and include some familiar names like Moving Panoramas, Sir Woman, Jackie Venson, Los Coast, and more. Viewers can make tax-deductible donations to Black Fret for disbursement to Austin musicians and other nonprofits who provide support of the Austin music scene. You can stream the performances at blackfret.org
Jackie Venson
Austin native Jackie Venson will be streaming performances every night on her Facebook page starting at 9:30 pm CST.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B9zv3DxA_W1/
Sofi Tukker
The electro-pop duo Sofi Tukker are “throwing a party” every day at 12 pm (1 pm EST). You can stream it via their Facebook page.
Third Man Records
Jack White’s label Third Man Records has announced a daily live-stream titled “Third Man Public Access. The show will stream live from Nashville’s Blue Room via Youtube beginning Thursday night (March 19th) with a performance by Luke Schneider. Venmo and Paypal options are available as a way to support the performers who have struggled to make income with numerous tours and festivals cancelations and postponements.
Hozier
Hozier is one of many musicians lending their talents to support the World Health Organization’s “Together at Home” fund. Hozier will live-stream via Instagram at 2 pm central time.
Comedy Wham
Musicians aren’t the only ones suffering right now—comedians have been hit hard by the ensuing health crisis as well. Comedy Wham is hosting an isolation comedy show to get us all laughing again. The stream is free, but donations are appreciated and can be watched via Comedy Wham’s Twitch page.
ISOLATION COMEDY SHOW
Stuck at home? Damn right you are. Want to see 10 comics, streamed right to your eyeballs, for free, as they survive the same situation? Of course you do!
Premieres this Friday; follow for updates & details, and see you there! (Where else would you be?!) pic.twitter.com/6UnhiJ4RCt
— Comedy Wham (@ComedyWham) March 19, 2020
‘Till Further Notice Ft. Willie Nelson
On Thurday (March 19th), the team behind Luck Reunion will host ‘Till Further Notice, a free, tip only, live-stream event featuring call-in sets filmed live by artists themselves from the comfort of their own home. Many of the artists who were scheduled to play this year’s Luck Reunion will participate in the event including Willie Nelson and his sons Lukas and Micha Nelson, Nathaniel Rateliff, Margo Price & Jeremy Ivey, Devon Gilfillian, and more. You can stream the sets via Luck Reunion’s website, Twitch, and Facebook any time between 6 pm-11 pm.
Mobley
Last year, Mobley was performing multiple shows each day during SXSW—unfortunately that’s not the case this year. Instead, Mobley took to Instagram Live on Wednesday night (March 18th) to perform some songs for fans while taking requests and answering some questions.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B92Ovn0FQNs/
YUNGBLUD
On Monday night (March 16th), Yungblud hosted “The Yungblud Show,” an hour-long show featuring performances by the British rocker, guest appearances by Machine Gun Kelly, Bella Thorn, and Oliver Tree, and a Q&A with fans. Earlier this month, Yungblud was forced to cancel the Asia leg of his world tour due to COVID-19 concerns, which prompted ideas for the show. You can watch “The Yungblud Show” now on Youtube.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B9rn7r6ppj4/
Coldplay
Coldplay’s Chris Martin performed for fans via Instagram Live on Monday night (March 16th). He performed a cover of David Bowie’s “Life On Mars” and also took fans’ questions during the 30-minute stream.
Tim Heidecker
On Friday, March 13th, Comedian Tim Heidecker hosted an eight-hour edition of his podcast, Office Hours which featured special call-in guests Bon Iver, Mac Demarco, Fred Armisen, John C. Reiley, Kyle Mooney, and more. You can stream the entire episode here.
We’ll continue to update this list as more artists announce live-stream events.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
