Livestreaming

Try out an alternative to in-person performances

Professional artists may have been given permission to perform again, but with certain restrictions still in place, promoters are also turning to digital alternatives to presenting performances.

A livestream is a broadcast live over the internet, and YouTube, Facebook Live and Crowdcast are just some of the livestreaming platforms available. To livestream, you’ll need a device that can access the internet. This could be a laptop, tablet, or mobile phone (but be aware that both YouTube and Facebook require you to have 1,000 subscribers before you can livestream from a mobile). You will also need a decent camera and microphone which may already be built into your device.

You can sell tickets to a livestream using an online ticketing platform, or some livestream platforms offer a way to suggest that your viewers make a donation – you could choose your own group or another charity for this. Making the performances free is a great way to keep connected with your members and audiences and a good promotional opportunity too.

Pre-recording a performance for livestreaming is another option – scheduling a release time could create an ‘appointment to view’ sense of occasion and excitement around the broadcast. YouTube has a ‘Premiere’ function which allows you to upload a recording and then set it to be broadcast at a certain time as a premiere.

When you’re planning your livestream, think about the availability of your performers and also your audience – make sure it doesn’t clash with popular TV programmes or any other online events you think your audience might be interested in. You could try making it an occasion by encouraging attendees to dress up, pour themselves a drink and take a photo of themselves enjoying the performance, which they can send to you afterwards or tag you in a post on social media.

If you’re using YouTube, a recording of the livestream will save automatically to your channel so that people can watch it again. This video is covered by YouTube’s blanket licence in terms of copyright, but don’t forget to ask the performers’ permission to make the recording available. You can also embed the video from YouTube on your own website and it will still be covered by their blanket licence. A YouTube video is also easy to share on your social media channels.

And finally, don’t forget to publicly thank your performers, tell your audiences how successful the event was, and let them know when the next livestream will be! Livestreaming subsidies for promoters At the time of writing, government guidance allows professional performances so Making Music is offering subsidies to promoter groups of any size.

Livestreaming Subsidy – Philip & Dorothy Green Young Artists. Some of our Young Artists have agreed to a fixed fee of £150, and our subsidy will cover the full amount.

Livestreaming Subsidy – any artist. Promoter groups can claim a £150 subsidy from Making Music towards the booking fee of any artist engaged for a livestreamed performance.

For more detailed advice about how to livestream, guidance on how to set up an online donation platform, how to make and mix recordings and more visit: makingmusic.org.uk/resource

“Make it an occasion by encouraging attendees to dress up...and take a photo which they can send to you afterwards...”