HOW HAS THE MUSIC INDUSTRY CHANGED POST COVID-19?
Introduction
Are you contemplating over the thought of enjoying a concert instead of this lockdown you’re stuck in? The music industry has got it all covered for you this quarantine!
Challenges faced by the Music Industry
COVID-19 has brought with it some of the biggest obstacles for the industry. With new ways of creatively connecting, the music industry is trying its level best to adapt to this situation.
Amidst the pandemic proliferation where the entire world is practising social distancing, the Music Industry and Artists are the worst hit.
There’s nothing more disappointing than our planned gigs being thrown into doubts. It breaks our hearts each time we look back to our Tomorrowland plans not happening anytime soon.
We may not attend any music festival until 2021 autumn since mass gathering would be an invite to the virus!
No more Live Shows
The LIVE performance hype is going down this lockdown. Watching your favourite artist perform on stage is at the top of everyone’s bucket list!
Those earning a livelihood from live shows, technicians, DJs, musicians will be struggling big time with a terrible blow to volunteers who’ve worked hard to make the events happen.
All live music shows have been cancelled or delayed while festivals, tours & award shows kept on hold till the pandemic leaves and allows us to live with good health and peace all over again.
Sealed cafes and restaurants would mean no relishing your food along with a piece of live music, consider your dining room and Spotify playlist for the same.
However, music artists are discovering new ways to engage with their fans.
Introduction of Virtual Concerts
So what if you couldn’t watch your favourite artist perform live, you can surely groove at home while watching their virtual concerts online.
Every artist around the world is sharing their musical artworks via free live streams and building long-term connections with their audience.
Many came up with the concept of “Virtual Concerts”; it includes giving a concert experience by going live via Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, etc.
Some of the virtual concerts happening over the quarantine period include “iHeartLiving” and “Together At Home”
Live Streaming
A Live Stream is transferring or receiving a video and audio of an event through the internet.
‘Black Pumas’, an American psychedelic soul-based band in Austin, Texas led by Eric Burton and guitarist Adrian Quesada also partnered with YouTube for a live stream performance.
Just like the rest of all bands, musicians and singers are collaborating with YouTube or taking an initiative themselves to connect with their fans during the lockdown period.
Click Here to watch the YouTube Livestream of “Black Pumas” band.
There is a tendency to carry forward the lockdown music trend post-COVID-19 until the scenario gets better, until then a home-based concert without a large crowd around you would be a nice idea to cope with it.
Monetary Collaborations
The industry is fighting back with new ways of dealing with monetary losses experienced by the music artists.
Spotify has launched a COVID-19 music relief to provide important resources and financial support to artists experiencing income loss.
To know more about “Spotify’s music relief fund” Click Here!
A live stream show like ‘one world together at home’ has helped raise more funds for WHO to fight with COVID 19.
Popular in Spotify
While the physical sales and music record stores remain closed, Spotify reported that relaxing genres are the most popular hits during the lockdown anxiety phase for people all around the world to fight with COVID 19.
Fan Entertainment
While people are busy dealing with lockdown, super hit games like “Fortnight” hosted a live rap concert as well to increase the engagement of the audience.
Have a look at it! Click Here
Increase in Radio Streams
There is a huge increase in the Radio Streams during the lockdown, people have started shifting towards radio music as well, let’s see how it gets treated post COVID19!
Release of Albums Delayed
There has been a delay in the release of many music albums due to a sudden stoppage.
However, the bands and artists are making efforts to still keep producing music and trying by all means.
For example, ‘Southern Time Band’, one of the best Rock opera Bands in Toronto will be releasing its album ‘Lost In Love No More’ in July.
To connect with “Southern Time Productions”, Click Here
Conclusion
COVID-19 surely has put forward a drastic change in the music industry. The post-pandemic period is expected to be filled with the increased use of technology. With the introduction of live features and virtual concerts, the music artists have surely been successful in staying connected with their audience.
Therefore, how the music industry has changed post COVID19 explains us with new ways of spreading and sharing music while keeping the fire alive!
Author | Saloni Sharma
My name is Saloni Sharma and I’m pursuing my Bachelor’s in Journalism and Mass communication from IP University. I am a part-time professional dancer and currently working as an intern for Southern Time Productions.
