These Digital Times: FAQs

Q: What is These Digital Times?

A: These Digital Times is a free, online jazz festival presented by the Melbourne International Jazz Festival on the last Saturday of May, June and July. It features performances from Australian and international stars of jazz and contemporary music.

You can browse the first line-up for Saturday 30 May here.

Q: How do I get a ticket?

A: Short answer – you don’t! These Digital Times is free and there is no need to register or buy a ticket. The only exception is for our Career Development Panels which are still free, but require registration.

You can register for the 30 May panel – Surviving & Thriving – session here.

If you would like to help the Melbourne International Jazz Festival continue to bring audience extraordinary live music experiences, you can make a tax deductible donation here.

Q: How can I tune in?

A: Each performance will be live streamed at the time listed in the program page straight to our YouTube. You will be able to access the streams from 10 minutes prior to the performance via the links below each artist’s profile. All you need to do is click here!

You can also tune in via our Facebook live stream here.

Q: How is These Digital Times managing social distancing/staying safe while recording live performances?

A: Australian performances for These Digital Times are streamed live from ALV studios in Melbourne. Yes – that means musicians in a room together with a production team.

To keep everyone involved safe and healthy, MIJF has put in place strict limits on the number of persons allowed in the space, restrictions on the time they’re allowed to be in the space, physical distancing measures for all persons, extensive hygiene procedures including thoroughly cleaning all equipment before and after each performance, and we’re providing masks and other PPE for those on site.

As These Digital Times continues into June and July, we will be monitoring government advice with respect to COVID-19 health and safety guidelines and will adjust our approach accordingly and in consultation with our staff, production team and participating musicians.

Q: What do musicians get out of it?

A: By now, most live music lovers in Australia will probably know that musicians, arts workers and the arts sector at large have been devastated by the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on gatherings and events.

While these restrictions are necessary to stop the spread of the virus, it has meant that thousands of people have effectively lost the bulk of their income for the year.

With the help of our partners, the Melbourne International Jazz Festival has been able to ensure participating artists are paid for their These Digital Times performance at the similar rate to what they would have been for a regular festival gig.

This provides a much needed financial opportunity for artists in what is a pretty rough time. It is also an opportunity for artists to reach their audience and find some new fans.

Audiences will also be able to purchase merchandise directly from the artists via our website.