Streaming Concert Does Not Prevent JKT48 From Business Losses, This Said Music Observer Mudya Mustamin

JKT48 (Instagram @ jkt48)

JAKARTA - The COVID-19 pandemic has a serious impact on the country's music industry. The idol group JKT48, which has had a career for nine years, has become one of the musicians who have been hit hard.

This news was acknowledged by Melody Nurramdhani as General Manager of JKT48 through a video uploaded on the JKT48 YouTube channel on Tuesday, November 10.

Having been unable to perform for three months, JKT48 held a streaming concert and video call event with fans. They try to give positive energy to their lovers while at the same time trying to keep the wheels of this group running.

However, in business terms, JKT48 suffered such a painful loss that they were in a difficult position to operate.

In fact, streaming concerts have been the choice of musicians since the COVID-19 pandemic was recognized by President Jokowi's government in March. But, is this type of concert really a solution for musicians to survive?

Mudya Mustamin as a music observer said it was possible. Because what is different is only the stage setting and does not involve the audience.

"In terms of the artist's production budget, nothing has changed: you still have to pay for the crew, training fees, costumes, consumption, transportation, and so on. So if asked whether it can be a solution, I think it can, "said the man who is also the judge of the AMI Awards category to VOI, Wednesday.

According to him, concert streaming has the potential to reach a wider community because viewers can watch the same event at the same time.

“It's different from normal concerts which are only watched by the audience in front of the stage alone. Unless the concert relies on income from ticket sales, of course, streaming cannot be relied on, "he said further.

However, this man who is also the manager of the Cokelat band emphasized that if the context is associated with JKT48, it could be a little different. JKT48 is a product of a large industry and is even affiliated with and adopting its 'older sister' concept, AKB48 which is arguably global.

Like a large industry, said Mudya, of course it needs a large production fund to execute large-scale programs with a large production team.

Meanwhile, at this time, Melody said JKT48 only had two options to survive: cutting the number of members and staff who number more than 100 people or dissolving this group.