Are drive-in and virtual concerts the future of live shows?

September 22, 2020 | by Keilyn Abe

Imagine yourself at the last concert you went to. Whether you were at an intimate venue like the Echoplex or a legendary stadium like the Rose Bowl, at one point or another you were likely squished up against other concertgoers, brushing up against their clammy skin and waiting to be able to gasp your next breath of fresh air. Now bring yourself back to today, just about six months into the coronavirus pandemic, and feel the discomfort settle in. 

Yeah, that used to be normal.

As the pandemic continues to bring economic and public health devastation to the entire world, many people wonder when their halted lives will be able to continue. Some anxiously wait to hear when, or if, they will return to their jobs, while others desperately await the announcement of Coachella’s 2021 lineup.

With traditional concerts being officially off the table for the rest of 2020, artists have had to get creative with their approaches to live shows. 

In mid-July, R&B singer Kehlani performed the first drive-in concert of the summer for front-line and essential workers. The Grammy-nominated singer performed for rows of socially distanced parked cars, helping set the stage for future concerts to come. 

While artists from electronic dance music duo The Chainsmokers to folk rock band The Avett Brothers continued the drive-in concert trend throughout the summer months, others have taken to streaming platforms to allow fans from all over the world to tune into their live performance. 

All summer long, music lovers were able to stream performances from a myriad of artists on broadcasting and social media platforms like Twitch, Facebook and Instagram either for free or by purchasing a virtual ticket. In most cases, proceeds from ticket sales were donated to COVID relief funds to assist those most affected by the pandemic. 

The latest evolvements of the live music industry have not been disappointing; they’ve been undoubtedly impressive. It’s quite possible that we’ve been spoiled by the innovations of this industry. Nothing can beat the comfort of enjoying a live performance from your favorite artist while sitting in your car. Similarly, we have to appreciate the convenience of being able to watch a livestream concert while wearing pajamas (and even, perhaps, enjoying a cold, not-overpriced beer). 

At the same time, however, the economic hardships that this has placed onto smaller artists, venues, concert promoters and everyone in between cannot be ignored. Even small businesses in cities like Coachella Valley that relied on the tourism from big festivals have been impacted by the cancellation of traditional concerts. 

That leaves us with the ultimate question: are drive-in and virtual concerts the future of live shows? 

The answer is complicated. For the near future, these new variations of concerts are — wait for it — the new normal. According to an article from The Wall Street Journal, music executives confirm that concertgoers may have to wait until summer of 2021 to return to shows featuring large crowds. 

Upon their tentative summer revival, traditional live shows will be different. Like many now experience going to retail and grocery stores, there may be temperature checks at the door as well as a plethora of hand-sanitizing stations, among other procedural changes. 

While the current state of the live music industry has brought a sense of community to many who have felt lost or alone during this difficult time, the goal is to bring back the culture of uniting with strangers through the power of music, from one crowded venue to the next.

Link to The Wall Street Journal article referenced:

https://www.wsj.com/articles/when-will-big-concerts-finally-return-think-2021-11589987724

Keilyn Abe is in her fourth year at CSUN studying public relations with a minor in popular culture studies. She’s a lover of animals, a reader of dystopian novels, and a writer that prefers the Oxford comma. When not working or studying, she often finds herself listening to music and thinking about the meaning of life.