Virtual Concerts, Our New Normal
Do you hear that? Sounds like a concert to me, or well somewhat a concert. In these past seven months stuck at home, we’ve been having major FOMO (fear of missing out) when attending concerts. Some seeing snapchat memories of themselves at their favorite concerts singing at the top of their lungs, while others, especially those who had concert tickets bought ahead of time, had to deal with the upsetting news of rescheduled tour dates due to the pandemic. In recent news within the music industry we have learned of artists coming together in efforts to save the stages. Some celebrities including Miley Cyrus, Bad Bunny, J balvin, and Niall Horan are just a few of many contributing to virtual concerts. These concerts are being held in stadiums with no audience or in some cases in the streets of New York.
We’ve recently seen Miley Cyrus’ benefit concert held on Youtube, where the money donated was in support of the “Save Our Stage Fest”. A festival in support of the independent music venues at risk of closing their doors permanently due to the pandemic. With these concerts, we have been lucky enough to get a new song from Cyrus who surprised fans with a cover of the Blondie song ”Heart of Glass” and recently announced an album to be released very soon. I believe I can vouch for this song to be heard in every car ride for a while!
Although no new songs yet, fanatics of the famous Raegaeton artist, Bad Bunny, performed throughout the streets of New York, (on top of a bus, may I add) performed songs from his two latest albums released in the beginning of the pandemic which until recently had not been performed yet throughout the live event you laughed at how Benito dodged stop lights and trees along the way. I mean who didn’t “perriar” in their living room while jamming out to Yo Perreo Sola! On a more serious note, “El Conejo Malo” left off the live concert by leaving the audience with two important messages, to vote and use your voice and to thank the heroes, doctors and nurses, helping fight this pandemic.
With a couple of virtual concerts already performed, many are excited to see the future concerts to be held. For example, another latinx artist, Colombia native, J Balvin, will be the first latino artist to perform on what’s called Fortnite’s “Afterlife Party” which will be on October 31st at 9PM Eastern Time. Plus, who can forget former One Direction’s very own Niall Horan, who will also be hosting a benefit concert, in support of the #weneedcrew relief fund. Although Horan, like many artists, had to cancel his Nice to Meet Ya Tour, but, he will be performing at Royal Albert Hall in London on November 7th tickets are already on sale as of October 16th.
Although I wish to be in a stadium singing my favorite song at the top of my lungs right now instead of being in class on a zoom meeting, I am very excited to see what the future holds for artists when it comes to organizing the best and safest way to perform for their fans. Although this pandemic has created hardships for many, there’s nothing that a little bit of music can help fix our sour moods.