music
Drew Fields, Jeff Steele and Peter Rosenthal in the studio preparing for a Union Of None live stream.
LOCAL MUSICIANS ARE RE-TUNING THEIR WORK By Jeffrey Steele | Photo courtesy of Union of None
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hat’s a poor band to do?
banned live music streams later in the year.
That became the pressing question
So, the question remains: what’s a poor band
for an estimated 50 bands in the Grand Valley
to do?
when COVID-19 lockdowns began in early
2020. Festivals, events and shows of all kinds
cover band thriving on live performances,
that feature live music were being postponed,
was bound and determined to find a way
revamped or outright canceled. Local musicians
to continue playing the shows that brought
and performers were left without a critical
not only much needed income, but also the
source of income and no place to play.
satisfaction and fulfillment that can only be
Some bands called it quits while others
achieved on the stage. They performed a few
decided to wait it out and see what would
live streams on Facebook, getting tips here
happen. Others took the time to write and record
and there through PayPal, but felt that it
new music or shoot and edit music videos. Some
wasn’t quite what they were after. There was a
turned to social media sites as an avenue to
notable lack of engagement, and a frustrating
continue performing live shows until Facebook
inability to interact with listeners.
Union Of None (UON), a popular local
