How Covid Stole Christmas
A Digital Celebration of Resilience and Creativity
Introduction
When Tier 3 lockdowns threatened to cancel the annual Christmas party in 2020, we transformed adversity into opportunity with How Covid Stole Christmas. This ground breaking live-streamed event brought festive cheer to audiences during one of the most challenging years in recent history. Featuring world-class artists from West Yorkshire performing R&B, Pop, Soul, and Bassline, the show celebrated creativity, community, and resilience—all while adhering to strict pandemic safety measures.
Project Overview
Concept: A fun, unique, and edgy digital Christmas show designed to lift spirits during Tier 3 lockdown restrictions.
Execution: Hosted live on Twitch, the event featured performances by local artists, blending genres like R&B, Pop, Soul, and Bassline.
Impact: Successfully engaged audiences during the pandemic, setting the stage for future innovations in hybrid entertainment.
Key Features
Covid-Safe Format: A fully digital experience that prioritized audience safety while maintaining the festive spirit.
Diverse Talent: Featured world-class artists from West Yorkshire, showcasing the region’s vibrant music scene.
Interactive Elements: Viewers could engage through live chat, polls, and donations, creating a sense of community despite physical distance.
Festive Spirit: Captured the essence of Christmas with a mix of humour, music, and heartfelt moments.
Outcomes & Feedback
Audience Reach: Reached approximately 1,000 live viewers, with additional views via replays and social media.
Audience Engagement:
71% rated the show 5/5 for overall quality.
100% stated they would recommend the event to friends and watch future shows.
Artist Satisfaction:
100% of participating artists rated the event 5/5 for staff professionalism and overall experience.
All artists expressed willingness to collaborate again, highlighting the positive impact on their careers.
Press Coverage: Featured in prominent outlets like The Yorkshire Post, Telegraph & Argus, and interviews on BBC Radio Leeds and BCB Radio.
Lessons Learned & Improvements
Strengths:
The event successfully bridged entertainment with pandemic safety, creating a memorable experience for audiences.
Collaboration with local artists and tech teams ensured high production quality and visibility.
Areas for Improvement:
Earlier promotion could have expanded the event’s reach and engaged a broader audience.
Developing supplementary materials (e.g. behind-the-scenes content, artist interviews) could enhance engagement and replay value.
Watch How Covid Stole Christmas