“We’re all in survival mode now,” Wendi Putranto said. “And the government doesn’t care that we’re dying.”

After a year of lost opportunities, the 43-year old has a reason to be cynical. M-Bloc, the Jakarta-based venue he serves as program director, has lost more than Rp 2.5 billion in less than a year and has had to fire at least 12 staff members.

It is far from alone in an industry suffering hardship. Since restrictions were imposed on public activities across the country last year, Indonesia’s previously bustling live concert ecosystem has ground to an abrupt halt. In an economically volatile industry long reliant on revenue from live concerts, this is a catastrophe.

“Thousands of people are adrift without government help,” Wendi revealed. “Many musicians, crews and event workers have been forced to sell off equipment for food and work as day laborers; [some] defaulted on mortgages and even became homeless.”

Along with major concert promoters, musicians and event organizers, Wendi has been calling for a return of live concerts in Indonesia.

Through an open letter published on March 3 in anticipation of National Music Day, they have urged the government to provide clarity on the status of live music and pleaded for the involvement of event workers and venues in its current vaccination efforts.

Taken at face value, their demands make sense. The music industry, Wendi said, had fallen victim to inconsistent, lopsided regulations. “Why won’t they allow concerts to take place with health protocols when they allowed thousands of people to gather without social distancing in last year’s regional elections?” he asked. “Why are movie theaters open but indoor concerts banned? What’s the difference?”

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