Music Industry Screaming For Pandemic, Musicians Speak Up

JAKARTA - The entertainment industry is one of the sectors most critically affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Various ways are used to survive in this situation, both holding online concerts , selling merchandise , and so on. However, four months into the pandemic, there is no sign of help coming soon.

The government is starting to realize this condition. On Tuesday, July 14, a number of Indonesian musicians attended President Jokowi's invitation at the State Palace.

Che, Cupumanik's personnel got that opportunity. Through his Instagram account, he wrote what he told Jokowi, namely about his difficulties as an independent musician and a cafe musician. The lack of income from the stage schedule cost him a lot.

Currently, he is surviving from the savings and the virtual stage invitation that Cupumanik received. Cupumanik himself is still productive in producing songs even in the midst of this situation.

Not only did Che and a number of invited musicians come to discuss what they could do to survive the pandemic. The president also listens to the opinions of musicians well.

Government support

"The invitation (for the meeting at the State Palace) was the government's good intention to find a solution together so that the arts could still run. In addition to accommodating complaints from artists, Jokowi gave a clear statement, especially the delegation of orders to the Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy that the center must immediately coordinate with local governments regarding the possibility of immediately finding a safe formula for musical performances, "

Recounting his experience, Che hopes the government will focus more on the sharing of profits from digital services to local musicians. Because this can be a capital for a musician to produce even more works.

He also wants the government to create its own music streaming service in an effort to support the work of Indonesian artists. Glancing at neighboring Thailand, they have a music service called Fungjai which contains music from local musicians. Not only in terms of income, Thai musicians also have a place in their own country.

If this is done, Che said, then Indonesian musicians can demonstrate their capabilities internationally. It is unfortunate if our artists' talents have to be eroded due to a lack of support.

Musicians want their jobs back

Another independent musician, Pepe from Wong Pitoe also hopes for the same. Pepe, who has a regular and canceled show , now only depends on savings.

Pepe hopes that government support so that musicians can return to work. Moreover, he and his colleagues were earning a fortune from a cafe or gig, but the place was closed.

"Because not only need basic food and social assistance, but need work again,"

Pepe, who owns a cafe band called The Vipers, hopes that musicians can perform again as before with the health protocol that is implemented. Maybe not just Pepe, other musicians out there want the same thing.

Che and Pepe are only part of the story we can hear. There are many musicians who may not be able to voice their concerns about the conditions during the pandemic.