By Sophia Sherman
Local musicians in the Chicagoland area are finding unique ways to generate revenue during this era of Covid-19. As the music venues and clubs remain closed, there’s a continued lack of gigs to play.
Alfonso Ponticelli, an established musician from Arlington Heights, brings the music to neighborhoods with a drive-by concert. The “venue on wheels” features a setlist of his gypsy jazz music, from his wagon to the comfort of your home.
“It gives me an opportunity to uplift people’s spirits and give them a sense of joy at a time when it’s really needed,” Ponticelli said.
Ponticelli has also begun to play outdoor venues at locations such as SPACE in downtown Evanston. Previously an indoor site, SPACE has set up a tent outside for concerts with limited capacity.
“I think going forward this is going to be the new model…Summertime, people like to be outside, and it is in general safer,” Poticelli remarked.
He’s also been able to spend time composing and recording music for digital release. Ponticelli says he knows of other musicians who have also been performing virtual concerts or taking jobs at people’s houses.
Not all were able to get creative in the way Ponticelli has. A recent study by the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) found that 90% of it’s 2,000 independent venues will permanently close, if the lockdown continues without federal support. Ponticelli says with nowhere to play, some musicians have no income to support themselves.
“If they’re not able to work, how do they make money? That’s what a gig is, and they’re not able to express themselves or keep their craft sharp,” Ponticelli said.
NIVA is working to keep music venues afloat by lobbying to congress the Save Our Stages Act. The campaign has gained support from various artists such as Billie Eilish. Introduced to Senate by Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Sen. John Cornyn, this bill would provide the necessary financial support to keep live music alive.
Pollstar, an archive of live entertainment data, projects a loss of $8.8 billion worth of box office revenue, should 2020 remain dark. This loss doesn’t account for the money generated from expenses that come with seeing a concert such as hotel stays, dining, and car services.
“It’s a really big thing, music, because it brings people together,” Ponticelli said.
Many musicians say people won’t feel comfortable seeing their indoor concerts until a vaccine is found. Emerson Kimrey, a student at Evanston Township High School, was supposed to see Niall Horan perform at Allstate Arena in May, but it was cancelled.
“The Niall Horan concert was the only thing I had to look forward to during quarantine. But unless it’s entirely safe, with a vaccine, I won’t be seeing live music indoors anytime soon,” Kimrey said.