Like Lockdown Never Happened

Most books are too long. That can't be said about Joy White's Like Lockdown Never Happened - if anything, I would have liked it to have been longer. It is an account of how music helped to get us through lockdown and the challenges musicians faced. The book's subtitle is "music and culture during covid', but it focus is almost entirely on (black) music culture and how it affected and was affected by our experience of the pandemic. It is informed by theory but has a lightness of touch that engages the reader. It's also realistic and hard-nosed about the difficulties of being involved in music during the late neoliberal period. Recommended

Joy White's Like Lockdown Never Happened provides a thoughtful and deeply engaging analysis of how Black music and culture shaped and sustained communities during the first 18 months of the COVID-19 pandemic. In this concise yet powerful book, White examines how music served as both a comfort and a critical outlet during a time of isolation, uncertainty, and unprecedented social change.

Focusing on contemporary Black music, the book delves into how artists and cultural platforms like the Verzuz DJ Battle series, Steve McQueen’s Small Axe anthology, TikTok’s viral Don't Rush Challenge, and initiatives such as theresnosignal radio station became key fixtures in navigating the pandemic. White's exploration highlights how these forms of creative expression fostered connection and joy, helping many to endure the mental and emotional strain of lockdown.

One of the most compelling aspects of White's analysis is her focus on "Black joy" and "sonic Black geographies"—concepts that explore the cultural significance of music in Black communities during the pandemic. By framing the pandemic experience through the lens of Black music, White makes a strong case for how integral this creative output was to countering the loneliness and stress that defined much of 2020 and 2021. It’s an insightful commentary on how culture helped to mitigate the psychological fallout of isolation, providing moments of unity and expression even when traditional group events were impossible.

While the book is packed with academic insight, it remains accessible and engaging, with White striking a balance between theory and personal reflection. Her realistic portrayal of the challenges faced by musicians—especially those navigating the late neoliberal music industry—adds another layer of depth, highlighting the resilience required by artists to continue creating in a time of economic and logistical constraints.

White’s book is a concise but impactful analysis, particularly for readers interested in how Black music and culture responded to the pandemic. The use of specific case studies, like Verzuz and Small Axe, makes the book more relatable and offers clear examples of how culture adapted during lockdown. The tone, while informed by theory, is easy to follow and doesn’t overwhelm the reader with jargon, making it an accessible read for both academics and casual music lovers alike.

Like Lockdown Never Happened is a timely and important reflection on how Black music and culture provided solace and connection during the pandemic. White’s insightful analysis underscores the power of music to not only entertain but to sustain communities in times of crisis. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the intersection of music, culture, and social change, particularly through the lens of Black creative expression.