When the curfew went into effect, Alan Shepherd did something he had never done before. The veteran entertainer went live on Facebook and gave his first virtual performance after receiving the news that his weekly Friday night gig was cancelled indefinitely due to the pandemic.
Shepherd said he was inspired by this whole new concept of entertainment with the streaming of big global concerts, and international artistes performing from their homes. He has been doing his own Facebook live shows every Friday since then. He says the response has been heartwarming. “People have expressed that they look forward to it and that it’s been helpful for them in terms of getting through this time. It’s really encouraging to know that what I am doing is helping people and lifting their spirits.”
While acknowledging that streaming his performance from an isolated space is quite different to being at a gig in person, Shepherd says it is still quite rewarding.
“I realized when I started doing it how much I use the visual input of the audience while I am playing. I look at their faces, I look at how they are dancing, I listen to the applause and I listen to them singing along and that I miss. I realize how much it means to me when I play but the thing is, with this format, I can see the comments, the likes and the hearts pop up and I can see that this is live and that people are watching. That’s really encouraging. I get dressed up, put on my shoes, put on cologne just like if I am going to a gig. It’s live and there are live people and I do my best, I just can’t see their faces.”
Friends, family and fans from around the world have been tuning in and hosting watch parties. Australia, France, the US, the UK, Trinidad, St Maarten and of course, Barbados, are among the countries that Shepherd’s viewers are watching from.
Last week 6,000 people watched as Shepherd performed songs from his days as lead singer in the local band Spice and Company as well as a mixture of 70s and 80s hits, some Billy Joel, Elton John, and Bob Marley. “It’s a bit of everything from everywhere and every time zone. Something for everybody… the focus is on uplifting music, to get us through this time.”
This Friday night, Shepherd will release a new song that is dedicated to those working on the frontline during the COVID-19 pandemic. “It’s called Noise For The Frontline and it’s an attempt to bring motivation for all those on the frontline here in Barbados and around the world… to get behind them, to applaud them and support them for keeping us alive,” Shepherd added. (PR)
