Persona non grata in the corridors of the Montreal metro since the start of the pandemic, musicians were allowed to make their comeback on Monday. If they quickly found the pleasure of playing it, times are shaping up to be difficult for their wallets, many workers not having returned to the office.
“It feels good to find an audience, even in a hurry. I’m happy not to just play for myself anymore, ”says Genady Zimerman, quietly seated on his little stool in a hallway at the Berri-UQAM station.
The saxophonist suddenly lost his stage of the last twenty years when the pandemic struck in March 2020. Faced with the outbreak of COVID-19 cases, the Société de transport de Montréal (STM) decided to temporarily end musicians’ performances. It was not until Monday that the latter were able to play and sing their favorite songs again in the underground corridors.
“It was a big blow. It was an important supplement to supplement my retirement income, says Mr. Zimerman. It was also difficult not being able to play my saxophone in front of people anymore. “
“I hope I’m not too rusty,” he adds, a smirk, before returning to his instrument. The first notes of the song Hallelujah, by Leonard Cohen, were heard, catching the attention of several passers-by. Genady Zimerman has obviously not lost control.
Like him, several musicians hastened to reserve their place in the Montreal metro on Monday. A new system has also been put in place by the STM to facilitate their return. No more inscriptions on a piece of paper hidden at each location designated by the symbol of a lyre. Artists must now book their time slot and location online.
For the moment, only five of the fifty designated locations have been opened Monday, three at the Berri-UQAM station, one at Guy-Concordia and another at Jean-Talon. “If all goes well, we will continue to gradually open other locations in the coming weeks,” says Philippe Déry, spokesperson for the STM.
On this first day, some 60 musicians had already created their account to reserve their place. “Almost all of the time slots are reserved for today, and 70% are for the rest of the week. We feel that the enthusiasm is really present, the musicians are happy, ”continues Mr. Déry.
Happy? For Daniel Lalonde, the word is weak to describe all the joy he feels to be able to strum his guitar again in the warmth when winter sets in. “I am happy, relieved, excited. All this at the same time, ”confides the songwriter he met at another location at the Berri-UQAM station, just in front of the exit leading to rue Sainte-Catherine.
The musician also took the opportunity on Monday to present some new songs written during the pandemic. His performance attracted a few curious people, even encouraging a passer-by to dance happily around him.
The one who is also president of the Regroupement des musicians du métro et de la rue de Montréal, however, says he is worried about his wallet in front of the slow return of Montrealers in public transport. “In two hours this morning, I must have gotten away with $ 14. It really isn’t a lot. I was maybe doing double before the pandemic. Especially since we have to pay for the metro to come here, ”he emphasizes.
José Lamartine, who played the guitar at the Guy-Concordia metro in the early afternoon, also noticed that his performance earned him less than before the pandemic. “Instead of making a stop in a day, we will have to make two or three different to hope to have the same amount”, advance the one who has precisely reserved two different time slots in the same day to multiply his earnings.
In two hours, I must have gotten away with $ 14. It really isn’t a lot. I was maybe doing double before the pandemic.
At the STM, we want to be reassuring. “The return of teleworkers is happening gradually. We are currently at 54% of pre-pandemic ridership, compared to only 45% this summer. Growth is slow, but sustained, ”says Mr. Déry.
Daniel Lalonde therefore does not give up and remains hopeful that Montrealers will return to their offices and be more numerous in the public transport network. “Many Quebeckers have been vaccinated, life has been picking up little by little in recent months. I just hope that we will continue on this good momentum and that the new variant [Omicron] is not going to change all of our plans yet. “