Surviving During the Pandemic: Lessons Learned from Bandung Indie Music Scene in the Covid-19 Pandemic
Abstract
This research intends to study how creative industry players, especially the independent music industry in Bandung responded to the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic. The creative industry’s business pattern, which relies a lot on various face-to-face events, was forced to stop as a result of many restrictions on mobility to suppress the spread of Covid-19. By implementing a qualitative approach, this study conducted in-depth interviews with 8 experienced actors in the music industry in Bandung. This study found that (1) music industry players were hit hard at the beginning of the pandemic; (2) music industry players have many abilities that are very useful in difficult times such as pandemic times; and (3) music industry players initiated other creative businesses. This study also concludes that music industry players were classified as a vulnerable group during the pandemic. However, by capitalizing on the network within their communities, they were able to produce breakthroughs to survive and continue their activities in the creative industry.
Keywords: creative industries, music, Covid-19, policy
References
[1] OECD. Culture shock: COVID-19 and the cultural and creative sectors. OECD Policy Responses to Coronavirus (COVID-19). Paris: OECD Publishing; 2020. https://doi.org/10.1787/08da9e0e-.
[2] O’Brien D, Taylor M, Owen G. The impact of Covid-19 on jobs in the cultural sector - part 1 [Internet]. CultureHive. 2020 [cited 2022 Oct 27]. Available from: https://www.culturehive.co.uk/CVIresources/the-impact-of-covid-19-on-jobs-inthe- creative-and-cultural-sectors/
[3] Florida R, Seman M. Lost art: Measuring COVID-19’s devastating impact on America’s creative economy [Internet]. Brookings. 2020 [cited 2022 Oct 27]. Available from: https://www.brookings.edu/research/lost-art-measuring-covid-19s-devastatingimpact- on-americas-creative-economy/
[4] Gross J, Dent T, Comunian R. Covid-19 and the creative city: Lessons from the UK. In: Doucet B, van Melik R, Filion P, editors. Global Reflections on Covid-19 and Urban Inequalities. Bristol: Policy Press; 2021. pp. 179–88.
[5] Hastuti P. Dinamika Ekosistem Industri Musik Indonesia Pada Masa Pandemi COVID- 19. Masyarakat Indonesia. 2020;46: https://doi.org/10.14203/jmi.v46i2.918
[6] Ramadan S. Kisah Musisi Lokal Jual Alat Musik Demi Bertahan di Pandemi [Internet]. IDN Times. 2020 [cited 2022 Oct 27]. Available from: https://sulsel.idntimes.com/news/sulsel/sahrul-ramadan-1/bertahan-di-tengahpandemik- musisi-lokal-harus-jual-alat-musikbr
[7] Hikmah RN. Kembalinya Konser Musik Offline, Rindu yang Segera Terbayarkan! Kumparan. (2022, May 30). https://kumparan.com/pb-1b_06-_riad-nurhikmah-_ 02/kembalinya-konser-musik-offline-rindu-yang-segera-terbayarkan- 1yAwXs2qROl
[8] Retaduari EA. 2 Maret 2020, Saat Indonesia Pertama Kali Dilanda Covid-19. KOMPAS.com. (2022, March 2). https://nasional.kompas.com/read/2022/03/02/10573841/2-maret-2020-saatindonesia- pertama-kali-dilanda-covid-19
[9] Luvaas B. Dislocating sounds: The deterritorialization of Indonesian Indie Pop. Cult Anthropol. 2009;24(2):246–279.
[10] Andrew TV, Sihombing RM, Ahmad HA. Musik, Media, dan Karya: Perkembangan Infrastruktur Musik Bawah Tanah (Underground) di Bandung (1967-1990). Patanjala. 2017 Jun;9(2):293.
[11] Pickles J. Punk, pop and protest: The birth and decline of political punk in Bandung [online]. RIMA: Review of Indonesian and Malaysian Affairs. 2007;41(2):223-246.
[12] Saefullah H. ‘Nevermind the Jahiliyyah, Here’s the Hijrahs’: Punk and the religious turn in the contemporary Indonesian underground scene. Punk & Post Punk. 2017;6(2):263–289.
[13] James K, Walsh R. Islamic religion and death metal music in Indonesia. J Pop Music Stud. 2018;30(3):129–152.
[14] Daryana HA, Priyatna A, Mulyadi RM. The new metal men: Exploring model of alternative masculinity in the Bandung Metal Scene. Masculinidades Cambio Soc. 2020;9(2):148–173.
[15] Wedhaswary ID. Hari Ini dalam Sejarah: Tragedi AACC Saat Konser Musik di Bandung, 11 Orang Tewas Halaman all - Kompas.com. KOMPAS.com. (2020, February 9). https://www.kompas.com/tren/read/2020/02/09/081140865/hariini- dalam-sejarah-tragedi-aacc-saat-konser-musik-di-bandung-11-orang?page=all
[16] Luvaas B. Third World No More: Rebranding Indonesian Streetwear. In Fashion Practice. 2013;5(2):203–227. Informa UK Limited. https://doi.org/10.2752/175693813X13705243201496.
[17] Efek Domino Pandemi Covid-19 Menerjang Industri Musik Indonesia - JEO Kompas.com. (n.d.). Retrieved October 31, 2022, from https://jeo.kompas.com/efekdomino- pandemi-covid-19-menerjang-industri-musik-indonesia
[18] An Nur F, Indah Wenerda, Nur Fatonah, Yuana Palupi. Virtual concert as the new lifestyle during Covid-19. Jurnal Spektrum Komunikasi. 2022;10(3):215–223.
[19] Rantung F. Pekerja Seni Keluhkan Konser Virtual Tak Memuaskan. (2020, October 9). https://www.okezone.com/.~https://www.okezone.com/tren/read/2020/ 10/09/620/2291025/pekerja-seni-keluhkan-konser-virtual-tak-memuaskan
[20] Moran IP. “Punk: The do-it-yourself subculture punk: The do-it-yourself subculture.” 2010;10(1).
[21] Dale P. It was easy, it was cheap, so what? Reconsidering the DIY Principle of Punk and Indie Music. Popular Music History. 2009;3(2):171–193.
[22] Yujin KI. Making ‘creative’ movement: Transformation of urban culture and politics in Bandung, Indonesia. Geographical Review of Japan Series B. 2017;90(1):17–25.
[23] Nassaji H. Qualitative and descriptive research: Data type versus data analysis. Lang Teach Res. 2015;19(2):129–132.
[24] Creswell JW. 2007. Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five approaches. (Second Edition). University of Nebraska. Lincoln. Sage Publication, California.
[25] Hine C. Virtual ethnography. SAGE Publications Ltd; 2000. https://doi.org/10.4135/9780857020277.
[26] Creswell JW. Research design: pendekatan kualitatif, kuantitatif, dan mixed. Yogjakarta: PT Pustaka Pelajar; 2010.
[27] Krishna A, Shrader E. ”Social capital assessment tool.” Social Capital Initiative Working Paper 22. World Bank, Social Development Department, Washington, D.C. Processed. 1999.
[28] Priambodo IT, Sasmoko S, Abdinagoro SB, Bandur A. E-Commerce readiness of creative industry during the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia. J Asian Fin Econ Bus [Internet]. 2021 Mar;8(3):865–873.
[29] Agustin Y. Pelaksanaan Digital Public Relations dalam Menjalin Hubungan Baik dengan Client di Masa Pandemi pada Perusahaan CV. Atsuga Solusindo. Undergraduate thesis, Universitas 17 Agustus 1945. Oktaviani NF. 3.4 Ekonomi Kreatif Indonesia di Masa Pandemi Covid-19. Ekonomi Kreatif. 2022 Sep 19:68. 2021.