As temperatures begin to rise, as clear skies brighten up the country, summer is just around the corner.

Summer in Malta usually brings with it wave after wave of tourists, endless mass events and a lot of live music gigs, but this year is different.

The Covid-19 scenario means that such a situation will see a very different kind of summer experience on the island. One with few, if any, tourists. One with few, if any, live music shows, depending of course on what restrictions are lifted and when. But even then, people will be wary of gathering in crowds, for the fear of the virus will remain until a vaccine is found.

It is likely, however, that the larger events will be one of the last things to be allowed in the country.

Malta hosts so many major events during the summer months, including Isle of MTV, Tomorrowland, Beer Festival, Ghana Fest, the Jazz Festival. A number of these big events have been cancelled, postponed, are now taking place digitally, while for some it is unclear what the future holds.

These events, in addition to the countless other large parties that would normally take place in summer, offer a strong financial stream for the music industry on the island, and the situation is most definitely going to have a negative financial effect on the local talents.

Indeed once restrictions do begin to be lifted, we could very well see far more local talent performing on large stages as some musicians have told this newsroom, rather than foreign musicians. That could bring with it an interesting change in the Maltese music scene.  At the same time, the lifting of restrictions could bring with it a flood of events, saturating the market quickly and at a time when people would still likely be wary of meeting in groups.

Artists have also had to stay indoors over the past weeks, and given that no in person gigs are currently allowed, and are hard at work improving their music, writing new songs, and preparing for the day when restrictions will be lifted. This could result in a bombardment of new music hitting the local scene.

It will not be an easy time for musicians financially or event organisers.

Musicians have also been hosting live sets digitally for their audiences. This has been a great source of entertainment for the Maltese public who have been stuck at home, and a very welcome initiative by musicians. But this will not really help sort out their financial difficulties. One hopes that the government is and can help them during their financial struggles should they need it.

The Festivals Malta Director highlighted that due to COVID-19, artists and musicians have been forced to use different platforms to communicate and find new ways of collaborating at a distance. This she explained, puts pressure on organisations, organisers and planners, who must be ready to take their events into the digital sphere while offering outstanding value to all stakeholders. “Figuring out how to monetise the digital experience is not an easy one when so much free content is available.”

Perhaps collaborative events digitally could be one way of earning some funds for artists.

Festivals Malta, meanwhile, has devised a plan to ensure that festivals it organises are not cancelled, but presented in different manners through different platforms. This of course could mean that artists will have at least some revenue coming in.

While it is not clear how the Covid-19 situation will change the local music scene in the long run, it is likely to be a tough summer for Malta’s musicians.