From Iwan Fals to Nidji, Indonesian music stars let their hair down as they connect with self-isolating fans on social media
- The lockdown in Indonesia is giving musicians and bands a chance to let their hair down and present themselves in different ways
- Some are turning to Instagram live to chat with their fans and sing karaoke; others are interviewing fellow singers and hosting live-streams for charity
In Indonesia, musicians have gone online to keep their fans entertained as stringent social distancing measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19 continue.
Last week, the lockdown and the mandatory work-from-home rule in the capital city of Jakarta were extended to May 22.
Bands and solo artists have adapted by performing from their homes, playing songs and conducting live Q&A sessions, and offering other types of creative content on social media.
The liveliness and spontaneity of the performances are a welcome change from their usual promotional cycles, giving the normally image-conscious musicians an outlet in which to get creative, let their hair down and present themselves in different ways.
“In a situation like this, the mindset, habits and ways that we usually work with and the way we contribute as musicians have to change,” says retro-pop singer Vira Talisa, who recently performed a live set in her living room for her Instagram followers.
“It used to be that we put on a concert to gather people, for them to have a good time out of the house. Now, we’re playing concerts at home, creating interesting content, and even making challenges that people can participate in – all with the aim that listeners will feel comfortable and happy staying inside,” she adds.