Streaming sets at a social distance
Daina / Flickr (left) and S. Camelot / Flickr (right)
Canceled concerts push artists across the world to get creative
With forced closures across the country and across the globe due to coronavirus, businesses and industries have been forced to get creative with how they connect with their targeted audiences. For many musical artists, this has meant turning to social media platforms to reach out to their fans, especially as most upcoming concerts and tours have been halted for the foreseeable future.
Though many artists are losing a major part of their revenue streams with the cancellation of their concerts, many have still chosen to host virtual concerts free of charge to demonstrate their understanding and allegiance to fans who are also likely struggling financially.
“I think it’s a great idea that artists are streaming their sets,” junior Adrianne Nguyen said. “Tickets can be super expensive and streaming sets make them accessible to a wider audience.”
This past weekend Beatport, a music purchase service for DJs worldwide, hosted a donation-based virtual music festival featuring sets from popular DJs like Rufus Du Sol and Gorgon City. The live stream lasted 34 hours and featured 34 different DJs, with millions tuning in to view. Beatport gave fans the option to donate what they wished in response to the virtual festival, and all proceeds went to those impacted by the coronavirus.
Senior Maddie Bailey, a huge fan of the EDM and house music genre, appreciates the efforts being made by DJs through their streamed sets.
“While a virtual stream set will never be the same as watching a set at your favorite festival squished between all your friends, this past weekend’s Beatport live stream festival was the next closest thing,” Bailey said.
On a smaller scale, artists have individually been using platforms like Instagram live to check in with their fans and bring them new or live music. Artists like Diplo and Miley Cyrus have been live streaming sets, conversations with other artists, and live recordings of their own music in an attempt to keep fans, who are trapped at home, entertained. Additionally, many electronic music festivals and record labels are organizing live scheduled DJ sets. Desert Hearts, the house and techno music festival, will be having live DJ sets on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturdays at 6 p.m. PST with different DJs tuning in. Though there are few predetermined schedules like that for these impromptu concerts, the best way to keep up with the latest in live music is to keep an eye out for your favorite artists’ posts on Twitter and Instagram, where many have been announcing live sets a day or two before they happen.
In such an unsettling, unsure time it may seem like a new song from your favorite artist won’t do much to push away the nagging anxiety of our current world. However it has been surprising how much joy has come from the creativity of some of our favorite musicians. An example of the creativity and humor that has come from all of this is Dubstep artist Ghastly’s recent live stream, where his pet chameleon Albert was a guest DJ. It seems clear that despite the insanity of our current world, we can still find light and happiness through the efforts of the music world, especially in their attempts to lighten the moods of their many fans.