Hamburg’s rock & metal scene in times of corona – LOGO

Covid-19 and the taken measures have a big impact on everybody individually, but have also an impact on the music business. Enough of a reason to reach out to clubs, bands,… in the greater Hamburg area to see what the situation is and how everybody can stand together to go though this. Today we continue with Logo and Chris August, describing the situation there.

Markus Heavy Music Blog: Chris, what were your first thoughts when an imminent lockdown became apparent in the course of March?

Chris: “Ooohhh, shit…” However, this is more related to the overall situation than to the actual lockdown. We closed down the Logo even before the ban, because we couldn’t take the responsibility anymore when it comes to our guests and our crew to continue with concerts.

MHMB: You guys at Logo had a full calendar of events. How difficult is it to completely re-coordinate it? It seems almost an impossible task.

Chris: It is of course absolute chaos for everybody involved – bands, agencies and clubs. We are now trying to find new dates for all shows as far as it is possible. It’s difficult, because nobody knows how long the situation will last. I am already in the process of postponing the first shows for the second time.

MHMB: The situation is devastating for the music business. What were your first measures in the lockdown situation and do you receive governmental support?

Chris: The usual. All employees are on short-time work, we applied for help and so on. At the moment we are suffering of a hacked application websites in Hamburg and help hasn’t reached us yet. At the same time, we were involved in the PR for the Clubkombinat’s fundraising calls and tried to make people aware of the special situation of the clubs. We (the clubs) were the first ones to close because of Corona and we will be the last ones to open again.

MHMB: Beside all the drama, do you also feel a new solidarity in the world of music? It feels like everyone is moving a little closer together?

Chris: I already have the feeling that there is an awareness that clubs and the cultural landscape are seriously at risk. We get a lot of love from fans who donate, buy Soli-Merch or just send us a “Hang in there. We’re thinking of you”-mail. This is of course absolutely great. Ticket returns are still manageable at the moment, but the whole transfer wave of the coming months is just starting now.

MHMB: Nobody knows at the moment how things will evolve. When do you think concerts can take place again in the future?

Chris: Well, that’s the big question everyone’s asking. I hope, that we can host shows again in late summer. Probably the bands will look at a room full of face masks, but I think rather fans with masks than no fans at all.

MHMB: I think that the Corona crisis makes clear to everybody how crucial live music is. Only when you don’t have concerts anymore, you see how important they are. To what extent can music fans support you to survive the crisis?

Chris: Yes, unbelievable how much we miss having shows in the club and going to concerts with friends… we’re speechless… What would definitely be of any help is if fans would try to make it to the new dates of postponed shows and keep their tickets for now. Furthermore there is the possibility to donate to the clubs in Hamburg – to all together, which is then divided according to a simple key, and/or to the special club of the heart. There is also Soli-Merch that you can buy. You can find information about this at the “Save Our Sounds” campaign of the Hamburg club combine: https://clubkombinat.de/sos-support-now/

MHMB: Chris, thanks for making some time. Is there anything else from your side that you would like to mention?

Chris: Hang in there, keep your distance, stay healthy… Everything else will work out somehow! The first beer at the bar after all this shit will definitely be the tastiest ever…

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