THE Island music scene has been hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Venues and musicians alike have utilised technology to maintain a flow of tunes despite not being able to embrace their usual congregation.

Quay Arts currently has six members of its team working from home, with other staff having been furloughed.

A small team is working to provide online entertainment and fundraisers, while securing the future of the centre.

A spokesperson for Quay Arts said: “We have made a blog, which we have been updating every other day, with news stories on visual arts, activities for children, plus a bit of history about the Quay.”

The team at Ventnor Exchange has confirmed live events will be postponed until at least October, when they hope to begin hosting shows again.

The bar and shop are currently closed, but takeaway craft beer and coffees are available through the hatch at the front of the building.

Ventnor Fringe has been postponed until next year, and will take place from July 27 to August 1.

Jack Whitewood, from the Exchange, said: “On a positive note, our amazing audiences have made over £10,000 in donations since the end of March to help us launch a new service for people aged 14 to 25 in the aftermath of the pandemic.

“This will provide opportunities, funding and training in the creative industries. The project has been supported by Arts Council England and we hope to launch this summer.

“We have a regular monthly Afternoon Tea and Book Club running on Zoom and are exploring the option of getting our community choir running on there as well.

“In addition, we’ll be releasing a new audiobook for children inspired by the Ventnor Giant mural next month. It will be made available for free in instalments and then eventually as one complete recording.”

Other venues such as Strings are unlikely to allow gigs or open mic nights until it is permitted and safe for larger groups of people to congregate in one area with social distancing measures reduced.

With this year’s IW Festival cancelled, organisers were quick to confirm the lineup for the following summer spectacle.

Island musicians have also been affected by not being able to perform on their usual stages, with the likes of Lucid frontman Oliver Ducie, singer Amber Peck and Paul Armfield producing live streams and videos.