By Jack Bartholomew
Happy New Year everybody! It’s 2021 and still no flying cars, how disappointing. What’s even more devastating is that the music industry is on its knees crawling for survival like a helpless starved human in a desert deprived of food and water. Tragic. Musicians can release all the pseudo, quirky lockdown anthems they wrote whilst losing sanity trapped in the walls of their own realms they want but it won’t save the music venues where the songs would usually be performed. It’s tragic. Scrap that; it’s absolutely traumatizing to witness! Though, as humans being… Well, being human, we have to make the best out of a shit situation. That’s why live streams for musical artists are a way to counteract the missing void in our lives at this troubled time.
I watched the Kiss livestream about a month ago. Don’t get me wrong; it’s Kiss. You’re going to have to pay top prices, it’s going to be excessively high budget, Ace isn’t going to come out and reclaim HIS outfit…. Ahem, does anyone else detect a can of worms being opened? Nonetheless, I had a moment of realization on New Year’s Eve whilst awaiting the ‘stream to end all streams.’ It was almost spiritual – as if the heaven and earth aligned whilst my soul was levitating into eternal well-being. I was actually excited! Whilst sat at home on my sofa on New Year’s Eve sipping a beverage my palms were sweaty in anticipation, I wanted to stand up, sing, cheer and my eyes were fixated on the screen the entire time awaiting the next song on the set list. Unbelievable. Who’d thought being at home could be so gleeful?
What persuaded me to not check into a mental asylum after was so many people had an equal amount zeal for the show. Some were photographing their screens, printing off set lists, filming their favorite songs and even re-watching it as soon as it finished to live it again. It was encouraging to smiles on everybody’s faces and bringing them entertainment in this trying time.
No, I’m not insinuating that Kiss are enchanting us all out of our misery; it’s livestreams that are filling the void of concerts. Now before the naysayers claim that I’m insinuating it’s the same emotional thrill of a concert, that’s not the point I’m making at all. It’s NOT going to be the same. It’s virtual. You can never triumph the sound, atmosphere and energy of physically being stood on the artist’s territory. Still, being sat in front of your television, laptop, VR (rich bastards) or whatever device you’re using ain’t a half bad substitute.
What’s also revivifying is bands embracing the differentiation and create unique angles for the fans to interact like they never have before. Take The Hives for example, the exemplify a riveting band on a normal day. The madness continued on their stream(s) when they encouraged audience participation by letting them phone in and vote for songs which were collecting dust in their vault and hadn’t been played for years. You wouldn’t have the opportunity to do that before this monstrosity happened. Good on them for attempting to break new ground.
It’s not just that though; the heart is still there. Fans from all around the world are watching together at the same time wherever they’re located. In their living room, bedroom, wardrobe (dare I ask what you’re doing in there). The band are playing for the first time in what feels like forever and everyone is spectating on their fresh trims or overgrow in some cases. Most of all, you get to hear them play without having to watch clips from over a year ago. Plus, it’s live! It’s happening right now! It’s refreshing, it’s ecstatic and for us music fans it’s paradise. If that’s not filling the void for live gigs in this pandemic, nothing ever will.
Earie Entertainment 