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The pandemic inspired innovative thinkers to come up with new ways to allow live performances and help break barriers along the way.
Couple host virtual concerts to fund food pantry
When musicians Erin Shields and David Shenton saw food pantry lines wrapped around their block, they jumped in to help. The married couple became volunteers and hosted virtual concerts that have raised thousands of dollars for the pantry. (April 6)
AP
- Walter Kinzie is the CEO of Encore Live, the company behind the Encore Nights concert series.
The impact of COVID-19 was devastating for many industries but perhaps none more so than the live entertainment business. For months, venue owners and performers suffered, unable to work.
During that time however, innovative thinkers stepped in and leveraged creative solutions that allowed live performances to resume which helped save countless jobs.
In the process, solutions like live streaming and the rise of the metaverse inadvertently had the positive impact of tearing down barriers that previously prevented many people from enjoying traditional live entertainment.
As in-person entertainment resumes, the industry should ensure those barriers are not put back up.
Geographic barriers
One of the simplest barriers that COVID-19 tore down was a geographic barrier. Without in-person events, many stadiums and theater houses were dark for a year or longer.
Entertainers had no choice but to began leveraging existing, underutilized technology. Video conferencing and live-streaming brought entertainment into living rooms around the world.
Socially-distanced shows at community theaters filled the void left by arena shows. The millions of people who lived hours away from big stadiums could suddenly watch the same live shows as fans in places like Los Angeles and New York.
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Prohibitive prices
COVID-19 also highlighted the unbelievable, prohibitive cost of attending live events.
A study found that the average ticket to a major tour has almost quadrupled over 20 years. Meanwhile, the average prices of Broadway shows have also shot up, with popular shows like Hamilton driving the cost of taking a family to a show above $600 or more
It’s crazy that it could cost a family a mortgage payment to enjoy a live show. The tools that eliminated geographic barriers have also slashed costs of enjoying live entertainment.
Moving forward, performers should supplement their in-person events with affordable options to reach even more fans.
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Accessibility issues
Even before COVID, accessibility barriers were widespread, limiting the estimated 61 million Americans living with a disability from being able to experience live performances.
Over the years, millions of people with mobility disabilities encountered a lack of ramps, while many other venues provided no accommodations for deaf or hard of hearing fans. Once live events were taken away from everyone, they were actually made accessible to all.
Individuals with disabilities were able to experience live shows in new settings — like their homes or cars — in ways not before possible. As we work toward a more inclusive industry we must ensure that everyone has access to live entertainment.
New solutions
While COVID battered the live entertainment industry, it also helped us emerge stronger than ever. The industry has evolved implementing tools that made entertainment for everyone.
Moving forward, live streaming should be a staple. It allows more fans to enjoy live shows regardless of location at affordable prices. Entertainment companies should also continue leveraging community theaters and drive-in/outdoor venues.
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Until recently considered remnants of a bygone era, these safe, affordable venues are located all over North America. After Travis Scott’s Fortnite video game concert, which entertained millions at once, everyone should have a strategy for leveraging this digital economy.
Live entertainment has always preached to be about connecting communities and being for everyone. Now that we have the tools, it’s time to practice what we preach.
Let’s use these tools to ensure that the barriers that prevent people from being able to see their favorite musicians and shows live are not put back up.
Walter Kinzie is the CEO of Encore Live, the company behind the Encore Nights concert series.
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