.png)
April 15, 2024
In an era where artificial intelligence can convincingly mimic human artists, the lines between real and synthetic music blur. Recently, a supposed diss track titled “Push Ups” by Drake aimed at....
Read more.png)
April 5, 2024
In the heart of Canada's diverse music scene, Punjabi music is making significant strides, marking a new chapter in the country's cultural tapestry. This shift is not just a testament to the...
Read more.png)
April 5, 2024
At the heart of Portugal. The Man is a songwriting process deeply influenced by their experiences, emotions, and the landscapes of their Alaskan upbringing. John Gourley, the band's frontman...
Read more.png)
April 3, 2024
Indonesian-born artist Stephanie Poetri is not just a musician; she's a sonic storyteller whose narratives unfold against the backdrop of a world obsessed with digital connectivity and astrological...
Read more.png)
April 1, 2024
In a significant move that underscores the evolving dynamics of the global music industry, Universal Music Group (UMG) and HYBE, a prominent South Korean entertainment company, have announced...
Read more.png)
March 31, 2024
Since its inception in 1999, the National has meticulously crafted a sound that resonates with the subtle complexities of human emotion, blurring the lines between melancholy and a peculiar sense....
Read more.png)
March 29, 2024
Nicole Zefanya, known professionally as NIKI, has carved a unique space for herself in the contemporary music scene, transforming from a self-made YouTube artist into a history-making star...
Read more.png)
March 27, 2024
In the dynamic world of contemporary R&B, few artists possess the ethereal quality and lyrical depth of Jhené Aiko Efuru Chilombo. Known for her soulful voice and introspective songwriting, Aiko...
Read more.png)
March 22, 2024
In the ever-evolving world of R&B music SZA stands as a beacon of innovation. Her latest single, "Saturn," marks a significant milestone in her illustrious career. Debuted during the 2024 Grammy...
Read more.png)
March 20, 2024
Drill beats, with their gritty textures and relentless rhythms, represent one of these challenging frontiers. Cardi B's recent experience with recording a verse for a remix of Ice Spice's "Munch"...
Read more.png)
Ariana Grande has once again captured the spotlight with her latest album, "Eternal Echoes." This time, Grande embarks on a deeply personal journey, weaving her narrative through the thematic...
Read more.png)
March 14, 2024
In the grand auditorium of dreams, Ludwig Göransson clutched the Oscar statuette for Best Score, a testament to his monumental contribution to Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer. This win adds another...
Read more
Photo: Spencer Davis / Unsplash
For the last two years, there has been something missing in the lives of music lovers around the world—live music. The advent of a global pandemic meant the absence of concerts, festivals, and all other manners of live performances, which previously accounted for over 50% of music industry revenue worldwide.
Now, in the current—and hopefully post-pandemic—reality, the industry faces a new question. Will live music return to the way it once was, or has the pandemic changed it in some tangible way?
On the surface, it seems like concerts have bounced back as big names in music resume their long-awaited tours in larger venues.
“Live music is back and bigger than ever,” Michael Hann wrote for the Guardian back in February 2022, but the industry remains “horribly uncertain.” Restrictions have left some artists and show crew members expressing frustration with the concert experience.
Matt Cox, a keyboard technician interviewed in the aforementioned Guardian article, says that “there’s a more corporate feel to [concerts] now, with so many rules and regulations. It’s taken some of the gloss off it, made it a bit more nine to five.”
For other crew members, the unpredictability directly impacts their livelihoods—the persistent possibility of tour cancellations means constantly looking for back-up plans to counteract income instability.
The same goes for live music venues, which were hit particularly hard by COVID-19 regulations. Even before the pandemic, the live music venue sector was already facing tight profit margins. In some cases, venues did not survive the loss of income associated with pandemic restrictions; in cases they did, staffing shortages and rising costs have contributed to a variety of challenges, from delays to poor experience.
Audiences have also noticed some changes. In a video posted last month, YouTube creator Nicole Rafiee discussed why recent concerts have felt unpleasant, and users of the platform have cited a number of different reasons, including a “pandemic maturity gap” or lack of “concert etiquette” between pre- and post-pandemic audiences.
If this is making the live music landscape feel somewhat bleak, know that it isn’t all bad news.
While the pandemic has been particularly difficult on new artists looking for platforms and opportunities, a desire among audiences for more intimate venues and interactive live music experiences might prove to be a factor driving them towards smaller, local shows by up-and-coming artists.
“The silver lining of the pandemic is people kind of realize how much they miss this, this community that we’ve called live music and how much it means to them and their lives,” said Mo Tarmohamed, owner of a small music venue, in an interview with BCIT News. With the support of the community, the industry is slowly but surely bouncing back.
