With many artists and others in the music industry suddenly deprived of income as live shows and festivals across the globe and cancelled due to coronavirus, three industry legends have put their heads together to create a digital alternative this weekend.
Organised by Sydney songwriter Merpire, festival organisers Em Ulman and Shannen Egan of Turning Heads Agency, socially (media-) distanced music festival Isol-Aid will feature 20-minute Instagram Live sets from 74 musos from 12 noon to 12 midnight Saturday 21st and 22nd of March.
The froth-worthy virtual lineup includes the likes of Angie McMahon, Julia Jacklin, Stella Donnelly, Didirri, Harvey Sutherland, Alexander Biggs, Romy Vager of RVG and stacks more, playing live from bedrooms, loungerooms, studios or wherever else they’re self-isolating.
According to organisers, they’ll be streaming live on their Instagram accounts and then tag-teaming the next artist to perform via split-screen, in the hopes of fans discovering new artists during this dire time. You’ll be able to follow the hashtag #isolaidfestival to watch the whole festeival back later, artist by artist.
Elsewhere on the lineup is the likes of Spacey Jane, Hayley Mary, Yours Truly, CLEWS, Moaning Lisa and Alice Skye.
As Isol-Aid organisers point out, the Aussie music industry (including performers, production, crew, hospitality workers and more) is currently facing $150 million dollars and counting in financial losses in the wake of mass cancellations due to COVID-19, according to I Lost My Gig. Viewers of the online fest will be encouraged, if in the financial position to do so, to help out by purchasing music and merch via the artists’ Bandcamp/Patreon pages, as well as donating to the recent fundraiser organised for Support Art.
Head to the Facebook page here for all the info on set times and full lineup.
