By: Queenie Resmundo
“To send light into the darkness of men’s hearts – such is the duty of the artist.” – Robert Schumann
Ever since the COVID-19 ruined almost half of our 2020, it is nearly impossible to not be anxious of what’s happening. At least once in our daily lives, we become wary of our safety and the lives of patients and frontliners battling the illness. We worry of what the future holds or when will this be over.
Although the world has yet to recover from COVID-19, several artists from across the globe are initiating free online concerts for their fans, aiming to at least shed light and hope during the pandemic. It’s also their way of collecting donations and promoting safety by staying at home.
Here are some of the recently held free online concerts.
Lea Salonga for Bayanihan Musikahan
The renowned theater actress was able to raise P2.3 million in an hour-long online concert on her Facebook page. Viewed by more than 1.8 million viewers from their homes, the concert aimed to help the frontliners in the Philippines through the funds collected. Lea Salonga performed several OPM hits and musical songs such as “Bring Him Home” from “Les Miserables.” She finished her performance with Filpino classic song “Paraiso.”
Lea Salonga’s concert was part of musician Ryan Cayabyab’s “Bayanihan Musikahan” together with other Filipino performers.
Festival Duduk Rumah
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Malaysia is one of the Southeast Asia countries with the highest number of COVID-19 cases. But this does not stop Malaysian performers and musician to come together and raise funds in combatting the disease in their country. Artists such as Isaac Ho, Juliana Heng, Zee Avi, Phoon Chi Ho, and many more formed Festival Duduk Rumah (FesDuRu), a free music festival to help the frontliners.
The first wave of the festival was able to gather RM 11,180 that benefited MercyMalaysia and #Meals4Medics to provide food for hospitals outside Kuala Lumpur. FesDuRu will be having again the free online concert on April 25 for LARIAN KE SANA KE SINI, a fundraising initiative the aim to fundraise RM10,000 for daily-wages workers community.
Sam Hui Concert
Cantopop legend Sam Hui asked for his fellow HongKong-ers to remain positive (in life, not in COVID-19) despite the situation. With the view of Victoria Harbour Skyline from the rooftop of Harbour City shopping complex at the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront, the 71-year-old singer played some of his popular songs. The show was viewed by more than 2.5 million people via Facebook and Youtube.
The concert was reportedly able to raise over HK$407,000 to help former employees of Tom Lee Engineering Ltd, a sound engineering company, who became jobless due to lockdown.
BangBang Con
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BTS, one of the most popular K-pop boy groups, recently had to cancel their “Map of the Soul” world tour due to the pandemic. To make up for the cancelled concerts and encourage staying at home, BTS treated millions of their fans from across the globe with “Bang Bang Con,” a two-day online concert weekend.
Streamed on their official Youtube channel, Bang Bang Con drew over 50 million views in total, featuring several of their concerts, fan meetings, and many more.
One World: Together At Home
Formed by Lady Gaga in partnership with Global Citizen, One World: Together At Home, is a star-studded livestream concert that aims to “celebrate” and support healthcare and essential workers at this challenging time.
Performers include Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, Rolling Stones, Ellie Goulding, Paul McCartner, Lady Gaga, and many more. The online concert reportedly raised $128 million which will be generally utilized to support the fight against COVID-19.
A streaming album composed of the 79 tracks performed during the concert is also now available on Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon. Proceeds from the album’s streams will support the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund for the World Health Organization, powered by the UN Foundation.
Have a general statement of other artists who held online concerts.
The pandemic is surely not a situation to be celebrated about, but a bit of positivity and entertainment would not hurt. Thanks to these artists for making donating and staying home a little more heartwarming!