The Future of Performances

by: Chris Ajao

If there’s one thing that Syracuse University does right, it’s their concerts. Juice Jam, Bandersnatch, Mayfest, Block Party, - Syracuse knows how to pull in incredible artists. Over the past two years, I have attended several concerts of different music genres on and off campus. These concerts included artists such as Playboi Carti, Gunna, City Girls, Rico Nasty, Saweetie, and more.

The rush of attending a concert in person is surreal and ethereal. Nothing can match the feeling of singing along with your favorite artist right in front of you; surrounded by thousands of people. However, when coronavirus hit, I was disheartened because I realized I wouldn't be able to go to any concerts this year. However, musical artists found creative ways to hold live performances during the pandemic.

Over the summer, a new web series Verzuz was created by Timbaland and Swizz Beatz. Verzuz pits two R&B or hip-hop icons against each other with their best hit records in a live DJ battle. These battles were streamed via Instagram Live, making the performances accessible to most audiences. Artists such as Brandi, Monica, Erykah Badu, 2 Chainz, Rick Ross, and more have participated in Verzuz. Listening to the battles was better than tuning into your favorite throwback playlist- it was a free concert. The live streams allowed fans to see their favorite artists interact with each other. One of my favorite Verzuz battles was DMX vs Snoop Dogg; their energy and their personalities meshed together so well.

Another platform that artists have used to stream music is Zoom. Recently, R&B artist Bryson Tiller held a surprise Zoom meeting to release his new album ‘Anniversary’. The Zoom meeting granted fans a new look at Bryson, as he`s usually a reclusive and secretive person. The meeting felt like you were talking directly to him, it definitely showed more of his personality. During the stream, he revealed new music he’s releasing and shared his inspiration for the album.

Last May, the University Union held a Zoom concert with Kaytranada. At first, I was skeptical about the concert because Kaytranada's electronic funk is meant to be played in a club with your friends so you can get lit and dance. However, I was able to find this feeling during the concert. As I was back home in the bedroom, I found myself dancing carefree as the hypnotic funk flowed through my body. Reading my peers' comments in the Zoom chat affirmed my feelings as they stated they were dancing in their living rooms or rolling weed as if we were all at the concert in person. Kaytranada would periodically interact with the students, shouting out the university making the concert feel more personal.

Smino hosted an immersive Zoom concert earlier in August. Smino took advantage of the homebound concert, and created a little set for the concert. His setup had LED lights and a projector playing the Boondocks in the background. This set paired with his vocals, made the concert more personal; as if we were getting an exclusive performance. The lockdown may have canceled in-person concerts, but it allowed artists to create meaningful and immersive performances for their fans.