Thailand takes live music festival to Zoom amid virus outbreak

By Jiraporn Kuhakan

 

Artists perform in front of screens showing audience via the Zoom application during the first six-hour online music festival at a studio amid the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Bangkok, Thailand, June 7, 2020. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Rock fans in Thailand watched their favourite bands play via video-meeting platform Zoom on Sunday as a live music festival went online.

 

Public gatherings have been banned in Thailand since mid-March to prevent the spread of coronavirus, but Sunday's six-hour-long show gave people a chance to see and interact with artists from afar.

 

"My favourite band hasn't had a live performance during the lockdown, so being able to see them today will make me happy," said 21-year old Siriyagorn Aimchomchid as she waited for their set to start.

 

Some music fans gathered in small groups -- permitted under the coronavirus restrictions -- to watch the event, for which about 3,000 tickets were sold at 499 baht ($15.84) apiece.

 

Thailand held its first online, six-hour music festival on Sunday - allowing fans to interact with artists from afar. David Doyle reports.

 

"A virtual music festival allows audiences and artists to interact, and they can sing along and talk to each other," said Samkwan Tonsompong, managing director of festival organiser What The Duck Music. "I think this is closer than being at an actual concert."

 

But Sirinapa Darathum, a 15-year-old student who was watching with three friends, said the online format did not compare to the excitement of a live gig.

 

"Although I'm watching artists close up on the screen, I am still far apart from them because we are in different locations," she said.

 

(Writing by Orathai Sriring; Editing by Catherine Evans)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-06-08

 

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8 hours ago, webfact said:

"Although I'm watching artists close up on the screen, I am still far apart from them because we are in different locations," she said.

Bit like watching a movie at the cinema then... but millions worldwide seem to like doing that?