As the coronavirus pandemic continues, live music events are cancelled around the globe and many of us go into self-isolation to help reduce the spread of COVID-19, the music community in Australia faces widespread uncertainty and huge losses.
Sydney’s first “virtual nightclub”, Room 2 Radio, is helping to bridge the gap and provide some much-needed online revelry. Launching Friday, 20th March (tomorrow night) from 8pm via Facebook, with a lineup including Music for Friends, Hyfe, Honey Point and Liam Ebbs will take over the decks, with a chatroom for those looking to socialise.
“The severity of the coronavirus issue is having a huge impact on the world, and our individual actions now have a very real impact on the health and wellbeing of all members of society,” say organisers. “Social distancing is the most responsible thing one can do to protect others, and unfortunately, going out to bars and clubs greatly increases the risk of transmitting the virus.”
The initiative has been organised by local DJ Toby Debelak, 2SER host Nicole Beck and artist Charles Waldren (aka Poolroom.)
“Public health concerns surrounding COVID-19 have led to the cancellation of the majority of shows on my upcoming tour,” says Waldren. “This doesn’t just reduce my main source of income, but also affects my team, the venues, support acts, accomodation, and their staff.”
Organisers suggest inviting a couple friends over for the night if you don’t want to party alone, but urge digital punters to be responsible, acknowledging that while it feel a little odd to party at home in your living room, to know that “potentially hundreds of thousands of people are doing the same thing.”
Check out the Facebook event here.
