Coronavirus home concerts: Hong Kong artists use Instagram and Facebook Live to reach fans across the world during self-isolation

Apr 4 , 2020

William Elvin, Tomii Chan and Junk! are among the Hong Kong-based artists who have been live-streaming home concerts during the Covid-19 outbreak. Photo: Handout

Move over Miley Cyrus, Lizzo and Billie Eilish – these Hong Kong-based artists are also hosting their very own virtual internet concerts well worthy of your attention, wherever you’re streaming

Just as international A-listers from John Legend to Lizzo have been reaching out to locked-down fans with home concerts and interactive live streams, Hong Kong’s very own artists have also been using technology to help keep us distracted amid this unprecedented global crisis.

If self-seclusion has kept you out of the loop, catch up on what you missed with STYLE’s wrap of just a few of the Hong Kong-based acts who’ve been coming at us live over the internet these past few days.

Wow and Flutter x Tomii Chan

Local promoters Wow and Flutter got into the coronavirus-inspired home concert groove way before Chris Martin or Niall Horan grabbed the streamingspotlight, and launched a pro-shot weekly Live@Home series back in mid-February.

The most recent, seventh edition showcased the stellar songwriting of idiosyncratic indie-folk troubadour Tomii Chan, who appeared accompanied just by a shimmering, bluesy electric guitar and the gorgeous harmonies from a mysterious female collaborator introduced only as Jasmine.

“It was an intimate occasion for me to sing and chat in a late-night, radio-like environment,” says the Hong Kong-born musician. “[Streamed concerts] gives musicians the opportunities to play and listeners to enjoy. We could all use a bit of soul healing.”

Previous guests on the series have included Ashi and Charming Way – both of whom clocked more than 1,200 views each. Tune in at 11pm every Wednesday for the latest instalment.

Junk!

Electro-comedy AV maverick Junk! was supposed to celebrate his birthday by performing at the first edition of a new indie showcase series called Rulapalooza on March 28. When the plug was pulled, the artist (born Glen Lloyd) instead turned to Facebook Live for the prime time “Stir Crazy Home Stream” to share his ironic odes to soup recipes, parenthood, video games and nudity with the wider world. The rapidly rising birthday beer counter in the bottom right corner helped explain the slightly unpolished second half.

“Woah that was so much fun,” the Australian artist commented later, as he stared down the first day of his 39th year. “If there's one good thing to come out of this … it's getting artists to really up our streaming game!”

Willian Elvin