Battered live music scene takes centre stage again
The past 2 years have been extremely trying for live musicians who performed regular nights at restaurants and bars. As Singapore eases its Covid-19 curbs, their opportunities are starting to come back, though they remain cautious amidst their cheer.
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IN February 2020, having taken on a number of music projects on the side since her polytechnic days, Lisa Haryono decided it was time to quit her day job as a civil servant to pursue a life as a full-time freelance musician and music teacher.
Less than 2 months later, the Covid-19 pandemic hit Singapore's shores, forcing the music scene to a standstill. Since then, curbs have been tightened and eased in turn over the last 2 years, leaving musicians on tenterhooks as the number of Covid-19 cases peaked or ebbed.
Musicians like her, hit by the cessation of live music performances in bars, pubs and restaurants, had been mostly self-employed and relied on regular gigs for income, which all but disappeared.
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