With almost the whole world maintaining social distancing, the music world does not stop, bringing live performances and festivals in a new virtual form. Multiple artists and music companies have come together to produce free livestream performances to bring the party right to their fans at home.
Fans across the world have started to livestream parties over Zoom and have dressed up in festival attire to get in the spirit of digital festival season.
(Joanne Guintu | The Poly Post)
‘Digital Mirage Online Music Festival’
Brownies and Lemonade and Proximity, two event companies, partnered together to create a three-day festival on the weekend of April 3-5. The lineup was stacked with 51 of the world’s most well-known and loved artists such as Kaskade, Gryffin, Louis the Child and many more. The festival attracted millions of fans and became the biggest online-only festival. The festival raised over $300,000 toward the Sweet Relief Musicians Fund, which benefits people in the music industry who are facing challenges due to health-related and age-related issues. Many of the artists have uploaded their sets on MixCloud and various music platforms for fans who missed the festival or those who want to relive the experience.
Due to the success of Digital Mirage’s past festival weekend, the producers have plans for a second festival weekend. Brownies and Lemonade teased its fans by tweeting: “Digital Mirage Season 2.”
‘Coachella: 20 Years in the Desert’
Due to the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival being postponed until October, the producers wanted to give fans exclusive, behind-the-scenes footage of the annual festival. On April 10, Coachella released a YouTube Originals Documentary called “Coachella: 20 Years in the Desert” for free. Coachella encourages fans to stay safe at home and stream the documentary with its clever hashtag #Couchella. This documentary was released at noon, at the same exact time the gates were scheduled to open on the original date for weekend one of Coachella.
The documentary covers footage and reminisces on the most jaw-dropping performances from artists like Beyoncé, to Billie Eilish and Madonna. The iconic Tupac hologram and performances from Tame Impala, last year’s headliner, are also shown. The documentary gives the audience backstage footage and a glimpse of the preparation for the music festival. It gives fans something they can hold close to their hearts as we go through these tough times and excitement for what’s to come at the upcoming festival in October.
‘Live from Home’
Live Nation has made it easier for fans to connect with their favorite artists by creating “Live from Home.” New livestreams of artists performing, sharing their stories and guest-starring in talk shows are uploaded daily. Artists also host social media takeovers on Live Nation’s Instagram and Twitter to answer any questions fans have.
Musicians and artists all around the world continue to bring light in the darkest of times to their fans. Music is a universal language of hope and joy. Music brings people together, even when they cannot gather in the same physical space.