Wiveliscombe Town Band has released a video of Livin’ da Vida Loca on its Facebook page – the perfect antidote to Covid-blues.

With over 6,000 views in its first few days online, the video has been appreciated around the globe, as well as on the band’s home patch.

Recorded by band members individually in their homes and gardens, the visuals tell the story of lockdown, with some players in headphones playing to their computers, shut indoors, and others outside in their gardens enjoying the sun.

The band players let their imaginations run wild. One trombonist performs on a rooftop, another on a trampoline, a horn player in a paddling pool, a cornet player in a tree.

There is a top hat, a pirate hat, a trilby, all shapes and sizes of sun hat, wigs, some fancy dress, just the one Christmas jumper, a pair of flippers and lots of colour.

The band’s musical director, Chris Grabham, 22, came up with the idea, arranged the piece, produced and emailed the sheet music and an audio track to play along with, and encouraged everyone to start practising and recording.

Chris had over 50 audio tracks and 35 separate video files to mix and edit in his home studio.

“All the band members did such a fantastic job at recording themselves, so I wanted to ensure that the final product did their hard work justice,” he said. ‘Livin’ da Vida Loca’ was originally released in 1999, written by Robi Rosa and Desmond Child and made famous by Ricky Martin.

“Given the bleak circumstances which many of us now find ourselves in, I felt it was a good idea to try to spread a message of hope. Many local folk love hearing the town band play, and as it would not be possible in real life, I felt that a virtual performance would be the next best thing.”

Working on the piece has helped keep the band’s spirits up too. Members have been having a virtual tea break once a week, with quizzes and chat, but they cannot play together. Lots of events at which they were going to play have been cancelled, and the band’s own summer concert is off. But plans are afoot for a Christmas concert, and the band is looking forward to its 125th anniversary next year.

View the band’s video at www.facebook.com/

wiveytownband/videos/593231091322015/