Editorial: When local live music restarts, be there to applaud

Music that reflects the life and love and pain of its people has been a part of Southwestern Pennsylvania from its earliest days.

It is the fifes and drums of early settlements and the old standards of Stephen Foster. It is the doo-wop of the Del Vikings, the urbane jazz of Harold Betters, the smooth funk of Wild Cherry. It is the rhythm of Wiz Khalifa and the rhyme of Mac Miller.

And where would any of them be without a stage to stand upon?

That isn’t something we can find out.

The coronavirus pandemic has been brutal to the music industry, shuttering venues that had no way to carry on when restrictions closed doors. Even when they could reopen, crowd sizes were limited.

It has been a year that put a stake through the hearts of The Rex Theater on the South Side, Brillobox, Howlers and Mixtape in Bloomfield and Hambones in Lawrenceville.

It has threatened the livelihoods of artists in more ways than one. Concerts and gigs didn’t happen, and that was bad enough. But how many struggling musicians work other jobs to pay the bills — many of them jobs like waiting tables and tending bar that also were among the hardest hit by covid-19.

But they have struggled to survive.

Some, such as the Jakob’s Ferry Stragglers, turned to livestreaming. The oldies band American Pie spent the time they weren’t on stage expanding their repertoire. Musicians and enthusiasts are throwing a virtual benefit concert March 26-28 for Moondog’s Pub in Blawnox.

It is the support that is the best way we can all show how much music means to us.

As the vaccines are distributed and restrictions are relaxed, music will come back like bulbs sprouting in the spring. Festivals, outdoor summer concerts, bars and restaurants with open mics.

And that will be our cue. Because that is when we have to go back.

We have to show up for the venues when they reopen. We have to buy tickets for the shows that go on. We have to be in the audience for the artists that step on stage.