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Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh Live
National
Alexander Smail

New Edinburgh documentary investigates effect of Covid-19 on live music in the city

A new documentary takes a look at how the pandemic has affected live music and nightlife in Edinburgh.

Reopening Edinburgh is an hour-long radio program that premiered on local radio station EHFM on Monday, with repeat airings throughout the week.

It takes a deeper look into how Covid-19 - and the lockdowns in particular - impacted the grassroots music scene in the city, and how it has been recovering since August 9.

READ MORE - Everything Nicola Sturgeon said today as vaccine certificate app goes live on Thursday

It features interviews with politicians, venue owners, local musicians and journalists - as well as the general public.

The documentary also examines how issues surrounding accessibility in the industry have been exposed over the period of the pandemic - during which livestreamed concerts became very common.

Speaking in the documentary, owner of the venue Leith Depot Patrick Kavanagh said: "It's been a whole new area to learn and adapt to.

"Time will tell of how it's gonna go because I think hospitality, and especially venues, will be the first ones to go if restrictions do come back in.

He continued: "So, yeah, it's not straightforward. Even though they're saying it's okay to open up and go back at it, I don't think it's that straightforward."

In another interview, MSP and former Shadow Culture Secretary Claire Baker said: "It was fragile before Covid, the grassroots music venues sector.

"This has made the situation worse. We need to recognise that it's a fragile industry but it's one that we support and want to see continuing."

The documentary also features music from local Edinburgh-based artists Jacuzzi General, Sarya, Holy Loaf, Midi Paul, and Alliyah Enyo.

Reopening Edinburgh is available to stream here.

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