My thoughts on 2020

It’s October 2020 and I was planning to beat my number of concerts from last year. I thought I would finally see Onerepublic again. I figured I’d see one or two (or maybe more – you never know :D) The Script shows. Maybe go to a few festivals and then follow Saint City Orchestra (the band im promoting) around for their tour in late autumn.

Oh how it all changed…

On February 27th I visited my (and their) last big concert at Hallenstadion. Deichkind – a german band who I’ve been following on and off since my childhood but never seen live. I am honestly soooo glad I went to that last gig. The big C word was already in everyone’s mind but no restrictions yet. However, I already noticed people coming in late. But let me tell you it was a party – a proper party!
The day after the government announced decisions that would change our life.

I immediately got texts saying „OMG what are you doing now? Are you missing gigs?“.

To be honest with you I enjoyed the time out without any concerts. I finally got to relax. As restrictions eased I finally got to spend after work drinks at the lake. I was able to be spontaneous and just say „Hey let’s have dinner tonight“ whereas before I was fully booked for the whole week.

In September Saint City Orchestra was able to play a live show in a venue called Presswerk. It was so special. Hearing the audience sing-a-long to the songs gave me goosebumps. You could tell that the crowd missed live shows since they wouldn’t stop singing and asked for more than one encore.

Of course it was totally different to February 27th: Masks and space between groups of people. But do you know what? EVERYONE had a good time!

I think thanks to this concert break I will enjoy the coming concerts so much more and appreciate the ones I saw. I will forever cherish the last summer travelling through Germany for Pink’s Beautiful Trauma Tour or our crazy moments heading to London for two days to see The Script in the Royal Albert Hall.
Especially these memories are why live concerts are just so incredible and why I can’t stop going to gigs.

These last few months have been incredibly difficult for everyone in the live entertainment business. No, I’m not talking about the big name artists. I am talking about venues, organisers, road crews, smaller musicians etc. They’ve all lost their livelihood from one day to the next and let me tell you the struggle is still very real now. Crowdfundings and a gig here and there won’t keep the majority afloat.

So while I understand the importance of restrictions I fail to understand why a whole industry is left in the dark what the future might bring. I already see little venues closing which would normally support local live music and bring joy and art to the people. It is scary.

It’s been 6 months and I hope that we get to enjoy gigs again soon. Not because I miss it (which is true of course) but because all these people need their jobs back.

So I am sure that we get to make new memories soon which might be a bit different from before but hey who cares?! J Live music is live music and I can see a person’s emotion even with a face mask on.

P.S: I actually can’t believe we actually got to see concerts this year. Someone posted a picture from the Lewis Capaldi gig and I couldn’t believe it was in 2020! Then I realise I’ve seen Brett Eldredge (LOOOVE), Silbermond, Lewis Capaldi (HAHA), Aloe Blacc (my boy), Slipknot (God, Corey Taylor is hot), Jonas Brothers (I’m too old for this!), Lennon Stella (Where are my Nashie’s at?!), Wrabel (Ahh the memories of last year are flooding back) and as I mentioned Deichkind. Wow…

I’d like to finish this with a song lyric by Maroon 5:

Here’s to the ones that we got
Cheers to the wish you were here, but you’re not
‘Cause the drinks bring back all the memories
Of everything we’ve been through
Toast to the ones here today
Toast to the ones that we lost on the way
‘Cause the drinks bring back all the memories
And the memories bring back, memories bring back you