www.ticketnews.com: With COVID-19 continuing to have an impact on events for the foreseeable future, it’s safe to say that concerts and festivals, as we have known them, will not be happening anytime soon. However, promoters and organizers around the world are finding new ways to bring back live events faster than anyone could have imagined.
4 comments:
When I first read the title of the article, I was incredibly concerned that this article was going to be focused on live in person events occurring in the way we had seen before the pandemic. This is definitely a shift in mindset that I need to start thinking about as we gear up for live events, though not in person events. From a starting point, I think the idea of livestream events are a lot of fun however I wonder how zoom/ computer fatigue will effect attendance and people’s ability to jump in and connect with more virtual events as they continue to appear. When thinking about getting festivals and entertainment back up and running in the long term, I think there is a lot of ways to add to allow for safe experiences that also add a fun component to the event. The RFID cashless wristband example is what I definitely think speaks to this because of the idea that there is excitement around having an event specific wristband that you get automatically, and can provide a sense of community outside of the event.
Just because an event is outside and potentially social distanced in a large special area does not mean that the virus won’t find ways to spread. While it is somewhat proven that being outdoors and socially distant is an effectual way to avoid getting the virus in large gatherings, it doesn’t mean that catching it is impossible; especially if drinking is involved. The livestreaming concert model is perfect for fans and artists to stay connected to one another in the midst of the pandemic because it ensures that they both remain safe. While hearing live music in a room full of people who love the artist as much as you do is spectacular, it is not worth it to put your lives, other lives, or even your favorite artist’s life at risk. In a way livestreaming a concert is more intimate than ever before because your artist will be singing your favorite songs to you live from the comfort of your own couch; which certainly beats the hassle of trying to leave a venue’s parking lot after a concert any day.
Everything about this pandemic has changed so much of life as we knew it. It is so odd to think that experiences we used to think of as staples of life, if we were fortunate enough to experience them, are no longer happening or safe. Even the industry we are all working towards is practically shut down or at least entirely changed. I have not been to many concerts myself but I see how much my friends love them. I know how much they are hurting without them. It is so hard to navigate the pandemic, especially when there is so much we do not know about it. The article mentions that when live events can return, they will be cashless. I support this, but it also brings up questions about if the virus is transmitted through surfaces. Research varies and planning for life in the pandemic would be much easier if we were aware of who was right on the research. Hopefully “the new normal” will be as safe and enjoyable as possible. Most importantly, I hope people take things seriously and don't allow themselves to be fooled by thinking that just because things are reopening or happening outside that they are safe. We all have to be on alert in order to get through this.
-Ariel Bernhard
Initially, I was a little confused that this article was written so recently with the summer festival footprint coming to a close. Additionally, I am relieved to see that the article was not “praising” certain musicians for holding live concerts in the middle of a global pandemic. I heard about Tomorrowland's virtual festival, and I really wish I had attended some of it to see how it was done, but something tells me that I will have more opportunities to attend a virtual concert before the world figures out what to do with COVID-19. I think these virtual situations have oddly given artists a very specific audience because only true fans would be willing to donate or purchase tickets to a virtual event, which in turn supports musicians while the live event industry is crumbling under the social distancing restrictions. While we all hope that this does not last forever, I think we are really making the most of the situation in the meantime.
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