The local music scene in Albuquerque has been hit especially hard by the COVID crisis. Before the pandemic began there was a major issue with the number of small venues going out of business. Even with the explosion of brew pubs over the last few years, few will be in a position to support live music once the pandemic abates.

Even fewer venues will actually pay bands to perform. There aren’t a lot of places for local bands to play anymore – especially those trying to make it playing original music. You can maybe do an open mic and get some tips. Maybe get a free beer…

Back in the day, bands could learn the ropes on the local club scene playing three nights a week at any number of different venues. Fast forward twenty years and there are hardly any clubs featuring live entertainment, and the remaining ones would gag at the thought of investing in a back line or decent PA. The appalling lack of viable performance spaces prevents a lot of bands from ever developing their sound.

I mean, you can always rent a performance space or something but that can get expensive; and then you still don’t have the live audience to feed off of.

Some venues try to charge bands for using their PA system, which is pretty outrageous. We ended up buying our own PA to avoid any further hassles. And then they always complain about it being TOO LOUD…!

New Mexico has been gradually hollowed out of decent venues over the past decade or so, and it’s a shame because this city is loaded with talented musicians.

There just isn’t a whole lot of money to be made for bands playing original music anymore. Not unless you live in a major hub with a vibrant music community supported by venue owners, the city fathers and punters alike.

In Albuquerque we’ve got a huge brew pub culture, but unfortunately very few are able to support any sort of live music; especially now – even if they wanted to. Most of them don’t really even have the space.

It will be interesting to see what happens. I’m optimistic. I think that people are dying for some live entertainment after all this pandemic shit. As the warmer weather returns the situation will improve and things will move outdoors.

I’m retired now; it’s not that big of an issue except for me, except that it’s nice to make a few bucks on the side once in a while. Being in a band and having to lug around all that equipment is a just pain in the ass anymore. There isn’t much money to be made playing drums in a classic rock band in any case. At least it keeps me in shape…that’s what I keep telling myself…

But it’s much more difficult if you only want to play original music. You need to be independently wealthy and/or be extremely dedicated to your craft to even consider making a living at it…

And one more thing: when we return to live gigs, can we all decide to truly appreciate them as a LIVE experience?

Over the past few pre-COVID years my enjoyment of live music has been increasingly marred by people around me choosing to watch the performance through their glowing smartphone screens.

You don’t need a shaky video to prove you were there to your friends or whatever – if you’re viewing it through a tiny screen, you aren’t fully there. You can’t really enjoy the moment.

Take a photo or a short clip if you must – but then put that thing away and be there in real time.

The joy of live music comes from the connection between the artist and the audience. When you see a show or a festival in person it’s an ephemeral thing; it requires your attention and your total immersion in the corporeal experience for the magic to truly happen. And when it does happen, you never forget that feeling.

I’ve experienced it onstage as a musician and in the audience on many occasions. It’s thrilling, and I am so looking forward to experiencing it again.

Whatever happens, please do your part to help keep our culture alive! Support local music wherever you live.