There was a strange feeling in the air as the four members of the Irish alternative pop band Picture This took to the stage at the famed McGettigan’s venue in Dubai in March earlier this year.
The pandemic was closing in, travel restrictions were being imposed, performing live was becoming a challenge and the band’s manager had warned them to be careful about having too much contact with the crowd.
There was also the somewhat ominous matter that they were on the line-up for the sold-out, two-day event alongside their compatriots, The Coronas.
As it turned out, it was the last gig that Picture This played before the coronavirus (not The Coronas) brought live shows to a halt, and forced the foursome – Ryan Hennessy, Jimmy Rainsford, Owen Cardiff and Cliff Deane – into lockdown immediately on their return home to Ireland.
“There was a weird kind of feeling about it,” Hennessy, the lead singer, tells The National. “I like to get into the crowd sometimes or reach out to the crowd, so it was weird because it’s not a very natural thing,” he explains. “The natural thing, for me anyway, is to get into the crowd. There was that little bit of stand-offishness, which was very different for us.
“But it was a great show and I’m glad that we got to finish on a great show like that, that we weren’t just plucked out of nothing,” he says.
Since then, Picture This has been performing as often as possible over the internet as part of virtual events such as the One World: Together at Home concert, on the RTE Late Late Show and a remote live session for their label, Republic Records.
Together in lockdown
Ryan Hennessy and Jimmy Rainsford of Picture This playing in Birmingham, England, in January. Photo Getty Images
Most bands are having to do so from their separate homes, but Picture This is a bit of a rarity at the moment in that they have been in lockdown together for the seven weeks since restrictions were introduced. For them, though, being shacked up as a group is not an unfamiliar experience, because they have been touring solidly for four years.
"It’s something we’re very used to,” Hennessy says. “We’re used to being in close proximity in a tour bus or in a hotel or wherever, so it’s quite similar to what we would’ve been doing anyway, really.
"We’re just always in each other’s pockets, so, for, us it’s nothing really that new."
I don't know how quickly people are going to go back to trusting that kind of contact with other people.
In fact, the experience has been positive, as the isolation has allowed them to concentrate on producing new material. But, as Hennessy explains, the creativity comes and goes in waves.
It was hard to be inspired, he reveals, when they were unable to experience the world, meet people or be stimulated by new sights. “But we’re in good spirits,” he assures. “We’re aware that this is a necessary thing to be doing, so we’re kind of getting on with it as best we can.”
Rainsford, the band’s drummer, says they are accustomed to recording everything “on the go” anyhow. “I have my little studio setup that I use,” he explains. “It’s basically a laptop. Actually, it’s the laptop we’re talking to you on.”
Picture This seem to be weathering the lockdown well, but they admit they're itching to head back out on tour again. These seven weeks, the lead singer reveals, have been the longest they have gone without playing a live show since they formed.
People wearing protective face masks shop at Dubai Mall after the UAE government eased restriction measures and allowed stores to open. Reuters
A man wearing a protective face mask walks at Dubai Mall after the UAE government eased restriction measures and allowed stores to open. Reuters
People walk outside Dubai mall after the UAE government eased restriction measures and allowed stores to open. Reuters
People wearing protective face masks order food as they keep social distancing at the food court in Dubai Mall. Reuters
People wearing protective face masks and gloves shop at Dubai Mall on May 3, 2020. Reuters
People eat in the food court at Dubai Mall on May 3, 2020. Reuters
Shoppers wearing protective face mask to prevent the spread of the coronavirus at Mall of the Emirates in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
Shoppers wear protective face masks at the Mall of the Emirates in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
People standing in a queue and wearing protective face masks to prevent the spread of the coronavirus outside the Carrefour Hypermarket at Mall of the Emirates in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
Shoppers wearing protective face masks to prevent the spread of the coronavirus at Mall of the Emirates in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
Hennessy says he hopes to pick up where Picture This left off, saying that another show in Dubai couldn't come soon enough. In the meantime, at The National's gentle urging, they recorded a special acoustic version of their new track Troublemaker, released on April 17, for their fans in the UAE. "It's always our favourite place," he says. "As soon as we have any opportunity to get out there, we just go. We love it."
Rainsford wholeheartedly agrees, describing the Emirates as a special country in which to perform, and the Middle East as a magical place in the world for culture and for people. “The UAE, especially, is becoming such a hub of people from all over the world, but I feel like sometimes it doesn’t get the love of live music that it should,” he says. “So to be able to play there is always amazing for us.”
We hope to see you as soon as possible.
With the severe disruption that the coronavirus has caused to all industries, including music, Hennessy expresses concern that fears over the virus could change the nature of future shows.
“I don’t know what kind of dynamic we’re going to be going back into,” he says. “We always have a big, rowdy crowd because of the big, anthemic songs we play.
“I don’t know how quickly people are going to go back to trusting that kind of contact with other people. I hope that it doesn’t take away from that magic and the togetherness of a live show.”
He still has hope, however, as he predicts the music scene could bounce back with a “renaissance” after the pandemic recedes and that there would be a steep rise in demand for live shows.
Then, to their fans in the UAE, the singer says: “Stay home, stay safe, look after one another as much as you can – and we hope to see you as soon as possible.”
Open Men (bonus points in brackets)
New Zealand 125 (1) beat UAE 111 (3)
India 111 (4) beat Singapore 75 (0)
South Africa 66 (2) beat Sri Lanka 57 (2)
Australia 126 (4) beat Malaysia -16 (0)
Open Women
New Zealand 64 (2) beat South Africa 57 (2)
England 69 (3) beat UAE 63 (1)
Australia 124 (4) beat UAE 23 (0)
New Zealand 74 (2) beat England 55 (2)
Scoreline
Switzerland 5
WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Pot 1: Iran, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, China
Pot 2: Iraq, Uzbekistan, Syria, Oman, Lebanon, Kyrgyz Republic, Vietnam, Jordan
Pot 3: Palestine, India, Bahrain, Thailand, Tajikistan, North Korea, Chinese Taipei, Philippines
Pot 4: Turkmenistan, Myanmar, Hong Kong, Yemen, Afghanistan, Maldives, Kuwait, Malaysia
Pot 5: Indonesia, Singapore, Nepal, Cambodia, Bangladesh, Mongolia, Guam, Macau/Sri Lanka
Prize money: $50,000 (Dh183,650) for winners and $10,000 for those on the shortlist.
Winning novels: 13
Shortlisted novels: 66
Longlisted novels: 111
Total number of novels submitted: 1,780
Novels translated internationally: 66
The biog
Favourite books: 'Ruth Bader Ginsburg: A Life' by Jane D. Mathews and ‘The Moment of Lift’ by Melinda Gates
Favourite travel destination: Greece, a blend of ancient history and captivating nature. It always has given me a sense of joy, endless possibilities, positive energy and wonderful people that make you feel at home.
Favourite pastime: travelling and experiencing different cultures across the globe.
Favourite quote: “In the future, there will be no female leaders. There will just be leaders” - Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook.
