The lights go dark, the room is quiet, and you wait for the concert to start. In a matter of seconds, your favorite artist walks onto the stage, and the crowd goes wild . . . in a live chat. Such has been the underwhelming reality of concerts since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. With masks and social distancing in place as necessary safety precautions, the audience’s close proximity in the general admission section of a rock concert may not be the safest place to spend a Friday night.

With as terrible as 2020 was, and as disappointing as 2021 is looking, many artists have been holding virtual concerts to brighten the gloomy days of isolation. From Justin Bieber to Billie Eilish to Avril Lavigne, musicians have put together these virtual experiences for fans.

Ever since the creation of live streaming, celebrities have used these services on social media platforms, such as Instagram and YouTube, to connect with fans in a way they were unable to do before. With a live chat, live video feed, and the option to invite others to live stream as well, fans have the opportunity to feel more connected to their favorite artists through technology.

Image from Justin Bieber's Facebook Page

As the worldwide lockdown began at the beginning of 2020, causing cancelations of many large public gatherings, all hope seemed lost for concert-lovers. But with technology stepping in as the primary form of communication and social interaction, artists used this to their advantage, inviting disappointed and bored fans for some rare entertainment while stuck at home.

These events have taken a few different approaches, from simple live streams where an artist is in their home playing music to full-on concerts at empty venues, complete with lighting and other special effects. Ranging in price from free to $15 to even higher for more interactive options, tickets to these events may seem pretty pricey, especially when many of the usual aspects are missing.

For many, going to a concert is more than merely listening to music they like for a couple of hours; it can be an emotional and memorable experience. Concerts are about meeting new friends, belonging to a community of people, and the experience of spending a night out and dancing to music in the bright flashing lights. But without the social aspect of these events, are virtual concerts really worth it?

For someone who loves being immersed in the experience of the music, special effects, and community . . . not really. Sitting in a bedroom watching a virtual concert on a laptop or phone just isn’t the same as being there. It is no different than watching an old recording of a concert on YouTube. Without the blinding lights and deafening music, it may be difficult to justify spending $15 or more on a two-hour live stream, even if the music is good and it seems like an entertaining experience.

While some may find this type of event to be just the thing to cheer them up and entertain themselves while isolating from the rest of society, for others, it may seem more like a disappointing tease. Though artists are doing whatever they can to brighten up their fans’ lives and make up for the many cancelations due to COVID, it’s genuinely not the same experience and not worth the price, especially when you can just watch any old concert on YouTube for free (and also not risk missing anything due to buffering).

By: Caitlynn Gehl

Oshkosh West Index Volume 117 Issue 4

January 27, 2021

Virtual concerts pave road to disappointment through good intentions