SALT LAKE CITY -- As concert venues remain closed, local musicians are working to share their music to keep fans entertained.
“Going on four weeks not playing live. It’s the longest time in nine years that I haven’t played,” said Michelle Moonshine, a Salt Lake based musician. “It feels like some dystopian nightmare.”
Michelle is now sharing her passion for performing live music online. Monday, she played an hour long set on Instagram. The concert was hosted by The Depot concert venue in Salt Lake City.
“The Depot is really great. They have always been awesome,” Moonshine said. “I need it. It’s much needed therapy for me.”
But this new venue for performing, is also a sign of how things have changed.
Michelle does not get paid for these online gigs. She is also forced to perform without her band mates.
“This is usually one of the busier times for us,” she said. “I haven’t really seen my band mates.”
Donations from fans are helping Michelle, who is a single mother, pay the bills.
“We are just making it by on peoples’ generosity,” Michelle said. “I can’t believe I was able to pay rent.”
As she waits for life to return to normal and for concert venues to reopen their doors, Michelle will keep playing her music to stay connected with her fans. It helps ease the tension caused by this uncertain and unprecedented time.
“Is it going to be two weeks? Is it going to be four weeks,” she wondered. “I don’t know what the breaking point is. I don’t know and that’s the scary thing.”
