Effects of COVID–19 on our local bands

OVER the past year and a half live music has been in large decline and what was once a $1.4 billion–dollar annual spending in Australia has dropped 90 per cent since before the COVID–19 outbreak. Euroa local bands Bad Ibis and YNot have suffered from the pandemic aftermath, yet some are very excited about their upcoming shows and events they have planned for the new year. Bad Ibis' members Peter Bateman, Nick and Alex Russell told The Euroa Gazette that lockdown brought them closer together as it allowed them to be able to appreciate the time they spent practicing and performing with each other. They were able to change and become better at rehearsing because of the time apart. However, over the past year a lot of shows had to be cancelled or postponed. "Back in primary school we used to talk about starting a band, so in year 7 when we started music, we also started the band," Mr Bateman, Bad Ibis' drummer, said. "So, we've been performing since 2017. "We've had to cancel and postpone events, one show was rescheduled three times. "It's frustrating but there's nothing we can do, we want to do what's best for everyone's safety." YNot, another local band with five members, including Zali Greasley, Jack Williams, Maison McCall, Jordan and Tyler Kipping, also suffered from not being able to play music live. Ms Greasley, lead vocalist of YNot said the most difficult thing about lockdown was the lack of rehearsals. "We've had fewer public performances and opportunities than we'd like and not being able to meet up enough has affected the way we learn and play but we were and still are working the band out," she said. Bassist of YNot, Jack Williams said, "Everything has felt very disconnected, we haven't played together as much as we'd like, and most of our shows have had to be postponed". "I think our performance has probably suffered from it," Mr Wiliams said. Guitarist and back up vocalist Jordan Kipping said, "Even though we've had our struggles with gigs being cancelled and a lack of rehearsal sessions, we have improved, so we must be doing something right".