James Dolan
Musician / Promoter / Producer
“You never know what the future holds” is a common quote we hear very often throughout our lives. However, in 2020 that quote has taken on a more sinister feeling. Every single human being on this planet has been in some way affected by the events of 2020, whether it be physically, mentally, or economically. We have all been left feeling uncertain about what the future holds.
Some industries, however, have been affected more than others, and none more so than the arts and entertainment industry. I personally have been part of the music industry for over 25 years as a musician, recording artist, performer, and in recent years, record company partner and event organiser. A booming, exciting, and inspiring industry, it is so much a part of everyone’s daily life that we ended up taking it for granted.
Then, in March, like a bolt out of the blue, live music vanished, venues closed their doors, the music stopped, and so did my life and so many others. Festivals were cancelled, events stopped. So many artists’ minds, bodies, and spirits have been forced into some form of personal isolation. The ability to express their creativity publicly, and feel the human response, has been taken away and may never return in the same free form again.
When I was a young lad growing up in north London, learning about life and the history of all cultures, I learned that every generation has had to endure some form of global crisis which changes the course of history. I always felt that one day I too would experience an event such as this. I knew something was coming, knew it would be something that was staring us in the face yet we still could not see it.
The crisis we are living through is not only a pandemic but a crisis of control. Our basic daily freedoms are being stripped away from us and we are letting it happen because of fear and uncertainty. We all follow our own moral compass and common sense. We know there are things we can’t always understand but our souls tell us when something is right and something is very wrong.
My heart goes out to everyone who has been hurt by these events. But it’s my heart that tells me people need music and the joys of sharing music together in person, more so now than ever. The music eases the sadness, the uncertainty, and the fear. By stifling the music, we repress people’s creativity and daily escape from the standard, daily trials of life.
Let the music play. Don’t let 2020 be the year the music died.
