When the “gig” economy dried up a few weeks ago, it meant the end of life as we know it for local musicians.

The coronavirus-forced closure of pubs, clubs and venues as places for music and performance meant no more income for musos and actors – and the end is still not in sight.

Goonellabah-based musicians Chris Fisher and Marcelle Townsend Cross (aka Monkey and the Fish) found themselves facing uncertainty in the future, but have kept making music, performing recently from their own home, and streaming the concert live on Facebook in The Pub With No Fear.

“The musos are lining up for Centrelink – there’s nothing in the government’s rescue package for the casual gig economy,” Marcelle said.

“Chris has signed up for Centrelink benefits and we are surviving because I still have some teaching work.”

Chris had been running the East Lismore Bowling Club open mic events until the club was forced to close under social isolation restrictions.

“We lost all our gigs,” Marcelle said. “Most musicians plan their gigs six months in advance, so everything is lost.

“But our garden is looking good – Chris has not just been sitting around – he’s been doing stuff around the house.”

Bring on the online pub - The Pub With No Fear.

Monkey and The Fish in the band's gigging days.

It’s a Facebook group set up by Alstonville musicians Debi Martin and Brad Buckley as a concert space to give musicians a chance to keep performing, and people who love live music to keep hearing it.

“We did a Monkey and the Fish solo set last weekend,” Marcelle said. “Chris had fun setting up for it on the day. He set up lights and a backdrop and the sound system. He spent a day getting the sound right – we still wanted the performance to look and sound great.”

At The Pub With No Fear, musicians' performances are scheduled throughout the day, and if listeners like the music, they can put money into the performer's Paypal account, if they have supplied one.

Marcelle said all the recordings stay on the site for a while and you can watch performances live or catch up later.

“Friends of mine were watching and they loved staying connected with us and our music,” Marcelle said. 

The Pub With No Fear’s instigators Debi Martin and Brad Buckley said setting up the group was one way they could keep doing their job as musicians, which they loved.

“Like so many others, we have worked hard to get to where we are and be gig match fit - only to be thrust into a world of uncertainty,” they posted on Facebook.

“This means our craft stands to slip if we don’t find a way to keep it up.

"We have to keep music alive, give people a place to go to retreat to … maybe kick back and enjoy a few hours watching musicians in real time perform from their lounge rooms, studios and outdoor home settings."

If you are interested in listening or performing, find The Pub With No Fear on Facebook. Tuesday is official open mic day and upcoming and new performers get a chance to stretch their wings.

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