With all live concerts postponed and community Canada Day celebrations cancelled as the COVID-19 pandemic wears on, a group of London musicians have come together to ensure the country's 153rd birthday is a rockin' one.
Texas King, Howzat, Lost in Japan, The Kate Channer Band, Brother Leeds, and Sneaker Club will all be taking part in Made in London, a virtual concert that will run from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on July 1. In honour of rock legends who were supposed to be on tour this summer -- and a few fans would have liked to have seen on the road -- the six London bands will be performing covers of classic rock artists such as Def Leppard, Foreigner, Roger Waters, AC/DC, and Joan Jett.
The two-hour live music event was organized by radio station Classic Rock 98.1, which is owned by Blackburn Radio Inc., the owner of BlackburnNews.com, in partnership with the Forest City London Music Awards (FCLMA) and the London Arts Council.
"We felt like this was a win/win for our listeners who are missing live music and some incredible concerts that were to happen this summer, and for local musicians who are missing out on their own gigs this summer," said Dan Wylie, program director at Classic Rock 98.1.
RBC Place London, formerly the London Convention Centre, donated space at its facility so the artists could record their performances while maintaining physical distance. A handful of the bands will be performing from their homes.
The virtual concert will be broadcast on Classic Rock 98.1 and live-streamed on the Classic Rock 981, the FCLMA, and Studio 73 Facebook pages.
In addition to filling the live music void, Made In London will also raise funds for the London Artist Relief Fund and London Food Bank. The Artist Relief Fund, established by the London Arts Council, provides financial support to musicians who have been unable to earn a living due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. Those watching the show can either click the onscreen "donate" button or text DONATE to 519-679-3733 in order give. Tax receipts will be provided. The two charities will split 100 per cent of the money raised through the show.
Each of the six bands will also perform original material in a special concert series leading up to the Canada Day performance.
The first of the half-hour shows will be live-streamed at 7 p.m. on Wednesday with Lost in Japan taking over screens.
The rest of the performance schedule is as follows:
- Friday, June 19 at 7 p.m. - Sneaker Club
- Monday, June 22 at 7 p.m. - Howzat
- Wednesday, June 24 at 7 p.m - Texas King
- Friday, June 26 at 7 p.m. - Brother Leeds
- Monday, June 29 at 7 p.m - The Kate Channer Band