It's widely known that there's, 'nothing like going to a live concert,' yet in current circumstances with COVID-19; that might be about to change. With people in global isolation, it has been detrimental to a lot of businesses, especially those relying on the consumption and footfall of customers but, what does this mean for music artists?
Large scale music festivals such as Glastonbury, Donauinselfest, Coachella have been postponed/cancelled as well as live performance venues like Sofar sounds. Meaning other opportunities have raised growing audiences online. Artists are forced to network and collaborate with each other in a new way as resources once there are no longer available to them.
People have a new interest in what is going on in the world, discovering contemporary and imaginative things and as a result; building communities, platforms and events so everyone can get involved. Music and video streaming has increased dramatically through the use of TikTok, Sound storming, Instagram live and Youtube. Both signed and independent artists can use this as time to recharge and recreate, improving their material or changing it all together. Delve into different genres and find inspiration having the solitude to do so. Whilst the live performance aspect has been a set back, it hasn't stopped completely. Event organisations big and small have seen an opening to expand through streaming whether it be to discover new artists, raise money for charities or to have a replacement of a cancelled festival.
Sofar sounds, an events organisation company for bands and artists of all kinds, set up secret gigs to perform for a small group of people. They have adapted their in-person gigs to an online listening room showcasing new talent every day. They are also helping with industry support for musicians through webinars and donations.
With the latest news of BBC Radio one's big weekend taking place virtually showing over 50 new #stayathome sets and five online stages including BBC introducing, it presents us with the chance to discover new music or appreciate the artists in a different way from our homes. Losing the atmosphere and social aspects of a festival is irreplaceable and virtually this will never translate through a screen yet, audience's can uncover a liking for simply listening and having a personal approach with the artists.
Another platform for independent artists is Sofa sets live. Donating money to world central kitchen with a 'mission to combine the art of music with the power of data to show the powerful impact we can have on slowing the spread of COVID-19 through social distancing and to raise money for the financially hard-hit in our communities.' Their achievements so far are incredible and deserve as much support as possible (which you can click on the link to see). With artists such as AURORA and many others already taken part, there's still more to come. All their details and information on upcoming performances are on their website and Instagram page.
'In a couple of years we will look back at this moment and say,'wow, Covid-19, with all the bad things it brought, actually accelerated the growth of the independents and their ability to impact charts around the world,' - Diego Farias, Amuse.