The New Normal of the Music Industry

Image by Kayla Spaar

Since COVID-19 first shut down the United States in March of 2020, the music industry has taken a huge hit. Without the ability to tour or play live shows, many musicians and their teams have lost a large amount of income, resulting in having to find creative ways to provide fans with entertainment and excitement. 

When quarantine was first announced, Coldplay frontman, Chris Martin, took to the band’s Instagram, live streaming a concert from his living room. Many artists, including John Legend and P!nk, followed his lead, creating a network of live streamed concerts, almost on a daily basis. 

This technique brings entertainment and excitement for fans, while also keeping all parties safe from the COVID-19 virus. Still, many fans were itching to get out of their houses and experience live music again. But, with all of the regulations in place for mask wearing and social distancing, it was hard to find ways to be able to have the experience while following the guidelines set to protect ourselves and others, and not everyone is doing a great job at following the rules.

In July, pop duo, The Chainsmokers, faced major backlash when they played a less than socially distanced show in the Hamptons alongside Goldman-Sachs CEO David Solomon (AKA DJ D-Sol). While the show was promoted as a drive-in concert, much like those happening at the Ventura County Fairgrounds in Ventura County, CA, concert go-ers crowded around the stage to listen to the performers. The organizers of the show spoke out in a statement, claiming that, “The video that everyone is talking about was taken from an angle that doesn’t properly convey how careful we were to follow the guidelines created by the CDC.”

But, while The Chainsmokers failed at putting on a socially distanced concert, many other artists are succeeding. British rock band, The Struts, headlined a show in the parking lot of Philadelphia’s Citizens Bank Park, where attendees sat inside (or on top of) their vehicles to safely enjoy the music. 

Another phenomenon that has arisen over the course of the past few months is socially distanced arena shows, like the one put on by SSD Concerts in Newcastle, England. The debut concert, headlined by Sam Fender, had fans sat in individually raised platforms in order to maintain social distancing. The concert was a hit and photos even went viral on Twitter, with American fans only wishing that they were able to do the same thing.

While we’re not sure when things will go back to normal or even how long COVID-19 will continue to plague our world, we do know that the music industry will survive, someway, somehow. Whether it’s socially distanced concerts or live streamed shows, music will continue to bring people together, even in the hardest times.