WILMINGTON, N.C. — The COVID-19 pandemic has shaken things up for nearly everyone, including those in the music industry.

Although live music is finally starting to come back, it may look a little different than most people remember.

“Most bands you’ll see now are like solo and duo, but for the more full bands, there’s not been many places to play at,” says Drew Massey, who has been booking and playing shows for 15 years.

Because of that, many bands have had to downsize. Massey used to be part of a five-piece band, but they haven’t played together since the start of the pandemic.

With COVID regulations in place, he says that playing gigs feels different too.

“I miss people engaging in the show,” Massey says. “You know, really going to a show to see a band, you see people up front dancing.”

But like most musicians, Massey has adapted to the new normal.

“I think once you go all in for what you’re passionate about, things kind of just fall into place,” he says. “This is kind of how we make a living so we’ve learned to adapt.”

Although things are different now and Massey doesn’t anticipate those regulations lifting anytime soon, he says that he’s just happy to be able to do what he loves.

He says, “But yeah, music in general is everything to me you know. It’s you get a certain feeling when you’re playing and you just don’t get there anywhere”

You can learn more about North Carolina’s guidelines for live music by clicking here.