The show must go on – how culture has adapted to coronavirus

It’s been fascinating and uplifting to observe how adaptable the arts have proven, writes Roisin O'Connor, from The Independent’s (now virtual) culture desk

Solo artist: pianist Igor Levit streams from the Schloss Bellevue Presidential Palace, Berlin (Bundesregierung/AFP/Getty)

It’s a strange time to be a music critic: most of us are used to spending our evenings at concerts, whether a sweaty gig at a local dive bar or a grand affair at the Royal Albert Hall.

Since the coronavirus lockdown was put in place, musicians have been scrambling to work out how best to keep entertaining their fans, while likely feeling just as anxious and uncertain about the future as the fans themselves.

Here on The Independent’s (now virtual) culture desk, however, it’s been fascinating and uplifting to observe how adaptable the arts have proven. The way we cover these things hasn’t really changed – we’re still intent on bringing you news and updates from the arts world, plus in-depth criticism, features and reviews (not to mention ideas for how to use the considerable amount of time you’ll now be spending at home).

Virtual tours are nothing new, but the sheer number on offer by some of the world’s most extraordinary museums and galleries is staggering. Meanwhile, singers are spending their now considerable free time performing concerts to fans via social media, or even banding together with other performers for virtual festivals. Going to the theatre – a pastime beyond the reach of many – is now accessible to anyone with internet access, after Andrew Lloyd Webber announced some of his most popular shows will be free from this weekend.

Bored of streaming the same old Netflix shows? Turn your living room into a cinema and stream one of the thousands of new and classic films being uploaded by BFI, Curzon and more, then send in a question to the director during a live Q&A. If classical music is more your thing, the Metropolitan Opera and a number of orchestra houses are streaming their greatest performances. Record label Virgin EMI is hosting an online “festival” of 32 of their artists, while country legend Dolly Parton is on hand to read your kids a bedtime story.

Few would argue that touring a virtual gallery is exactly like experiencing the real thing. But while we hunker down in these unprecedented times, it’s comforting to know that if you need them, those paintings and sculptures, the colourful costumes of Broadway and moving performances of our favourite musicians, are all still there. And the real thing will be there waiting for us when this is all over.

Yours,

Rosin O’Connor

Music correspondent