THE SUCCESSES OF VIRTUAL SHOWS

The Successes of Virtual Concerts

article by Bella Shirk

If you have kept up with the music scene for the past year, you know that many artists took their stab at performing shows for their fans through a live streaming format - since in-person concerts were cancelled with no foreseeable rescheduled dates. Artists combated this issue by promoting exclusive livestream events to perform live, offer Q&A’s, and engage with their fans. Artists such as Tame Impala, YUNGBLUD, Billie Eilish, and many more have made this bold transition, but how did it play out?

Is this the new future?

Tame Impala put on an event called InnerSpeaker Live from Wave House. This exclusive digital show was performed in celebration of the 10th anniversary of the psychedelic band’s debut album, InnerSpeaker. What really made this event special is that they performed the album in full where they originally recorded it. This event kicked off on April 21st and had a very positive reception, considering their loyal fan base.

YUNGBLUD is also familiar in the new realm of online shows. He expressed that he wanted to keep the spirit of touring alive, so he did a 16-date tour titled The Weird Time of Life. What is unique about how he played virtual shows is he went to New York, Boston, Chicago, Atlanta, Seattle, and Los Angeles to performed in actual venues! The twist? The audience was able to watch in the comfort of their own home! His viturtal touring debut was nothing short of a success.

It is quite clear why Billie Eilish’s take at virtual shows was triumphant, considering she’s one of today’s biggest music sensations. She had her own virtual show called Where Do We Go? The Livestream - which was inspired by her arena tour. This livestream was an immersive experience containing a pre-show, exclusive videos, surprise appearances, and trivia for 500 pre-selected fans. She also gave her fans a chance to share their thoughts in a live chat included during the virtual show. It is clear that she went above and beyond to make the best of the pandemic and give her fans an experience they’ll never forget.

Whether an artist performed all around the country or in the comfort of their studio, they gave their fans a unique virtual experience that has never been normally done before in music. The possibility of this concert format sticking around is something I’m not expecting to happen, considering how much more exciting the atmosphere is at a live show.

Virtual shows may be cheaper and more accessible, but there’s just nothing like the anticipation and experience seeing your favorite artist live.