Bundaberg musician Phoebe Jay will stay connected to her fans, even with social distancing in place, with her online performances during Phoebe Jay’s Manic Monday.
Phoebe said with the closure of venues and programs involving public gatherings to protect against Coronavirus, she has decided going live online was the best way to stay connected with her fans and her music while ensuring everyone stayed safe.
Each Monday at 8pm Phoebe will host a Facebook live performance called Phoebe Jay’s Manic Monday to give anyone in the world a chance to login and enjoy her music for free.
Trialling Phoebe Jay’s Manic Monday for the last few weeks Phoebe said the live performances had been positive with thousands of people reached and she was able to have hundreds of social interactions with her fans.
“I just turned 18 and I hoped to travel Australia with my music, but now it’s all on hold because of the Coronavirus,” Phoebe said.
“I still want to connect to people, and as doors shut, I am turning to online and Facebook live to connect and continue my music, and I would love the support from the local community.”
Phoebe said it’s her passion to give music to people and perform on stage, and while she wasn’t able to do this in a live setting at this time, she hoped Phoebe Jay’s Manic Monday would reach people as a safer alternative.
Phoebe Jay’s Manic Monday helps in tough times
“Times are hard and it looks like the only thing left is going live using online social media with hope that you can sell a CD or your audience will tip you using the virtual tip jar,” she said.
“Artists entertaining all over Australia are set to lose their income for three to six months and there is no safety net for independent businesses like musicians. Not like we can use sick or holiday leave to make ends meet.
“The knock-on effect is amazing with so many people facing zero earnings for a prolonged time: pubs, clubs, events, festivals, markets, sound, stage and all the people who make a living putting these events on.”
Phoebe Jay’s Manic Monday will have Phoebe sing and chat with fans for about 40 minutes to “keep the music alive”.
“I am still living locally and one day I hope to take on the world, with lots of hand sanitiser,” she joked.
“In the meantime, I think what is really cool about Facebook Live is people can stay connected and still interact, people can comment and my favourite, they can even put in requests.”
For more information go to Phoebe Jay’s Facebook page.