classic rock and rolling means being authentically who you are, flipping the bird to “the man” and, more often than not, looking like a rebel. Tattoos and black leather, silver studs and red cherries, and booze and guitars – that’s what rock stars are made of. If you’re part of that herd, the pandemic has probably made you want to return to live music events. But with much talk of a potential recession looming, musicians and audiences are wondering what the future holds.
Fans are the glue that holds the careers of their favorite musicians together, and as 2022 melts into 2023, the climate of uncertainty begs the question: how can we all keep the electricity of live events alive? This reflective exercise serves as a general guideline for viewers and performers in the face of uncertainty.
Play like there’s no tomorrow, today
One thing is certain: if we loved live events before they were stripped from our lives, we enjoy them with fiery passion now. Around the world, musicians sell out stadiums, music halls, parks and shops. There is definitely a craze happening as we all return to the normalcy of being around each other in dancing crowds. Some of us rushed to the gates of festivals and concerts, others moved cautiously and carefully chose the events organized.
With our future as unpredictable as it is in March 2020, I encourage musicians to perform now and carefully enjoy the freedom the world celebrates today.
Europe has been a wonderful inspiration to watch during this time of musical renaissance. This summer has been a glorious free-for-all in the live music space, from private classical concerts in spacious villas to stadium-filled total bargains.
To look forward
Some experts remain hopeful that a potential recession could inspire creators to create new music, as has been the case during the pandemic. I’ve seen experts in some circles say that live performance might not be affected.
However, I am realistic – not everyone’s wallets are safe during a recession. With crypto and stock market experts still debating whether we might be in a bull or bear market, live gigs might be the first thing to do. Somewhat ironically, we can take inspiration from the pandemic to keep the passionate sharing of music and musical talent alive.
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Metaverse Concerts
Companies such as Fortnite and Roblox, among many others, have jumped on the trend of hosting concerts in the metaverse, with big names such as the Chainsmokers, Young Thug and David Guetta having graced the digital stages. The 2022 MTV Music Awards even had a Best Metaverse Performance category this year, with Blackpink taking home the award.
In fact, these events could serve as a healthy combat response to a possible recession, with options for players to earn concert tickets or digital currencies to purchase said tickets and collectible merch-NFTs once inside. concert halls.
Streaming Festivals
In 2019 and 2020, YouTube and Twitch have become extremely popular with artists and bands hosting multi-day festivals in partnership with the platforms. For example, online festival Digital Mirage hosted famous artists from around the world for a two-day EDM streaming festival, with each artist playing a set from their home or in the wild. The advantage of this setup is that the festivals, although donation-based, offered viewers the opportunity to tip performers.
This marriage of free and paid events is what has kept musicians’ morale up during the lockdown and could serve the same purpose in a possible downturn.
sewing skills
Of course, TikTok needs to be mentioned. With options to endlessly stitch and collaborate on each other’s videos, it’s no wonder amateur musicians have created incredible works of art together on the platform.
Social media, despite its many flaws, is a gift to humanity in the simplicity of not being a paid service. The opportunities that arise from the newest and most comprehensive form of thought fusion in history seem endless for young creatives.
In closing, we just don’t know what the future holds. To the musicians we know and love: play as much as you can, because we can’t know for sure what’s coming. Extend your reach across the digital space, explore your options, and enjoy living in a time when so much is possible – where you can reach the ears of billions. History has shown us that talented creatives can survive and even thrive during these times. Don’t be afraid of the future: embrace the technology at your disposal; create a stable career for your years to come.
Whether you’re a fan of church concerts, a once-a-year orchestra attendee, or the main attraction for millions of fans, rest assured that your music community will be kept alive with your help. They always have and they always will.
