In the last year, music consumption and creation have shifted drastically. Artists took a huge hit when revenue outlets were completely shut down and live performances were taken off the table. Artists and fans have had to get creative in order to replace live shows and the traditional music experience. Once people realized that this pandemic wasn’t going anywhere anytime soon, consumers began to prepare to be inside for a while, and musicians had to think fast to support their careers while unable to perform in person. Social Media became the main way we consume music as it was the only solution that was able to provide immediate relief for both musicians and fans.

In March 2020, the first wave of livestream performances brought a little bit back of what we lost when we were forced inside. Platforms such as Twitch and Looped allowed artists to connect with fans at home during this new Covid reality. In some cases, this created a more personal experience than even a concert performance. Since fans were able to see filmed in their favorite artists in their own homes, artists were able to let loose and show their personality a little more. Griz got a little too tipsy during his performance and had to take a break to sober up, but many of his fans flooded the comments with how much they loved this. Moments like this created a unique connection between viewers, the artist, and the other fans watching. Knowing that everyone, artists and fans alike, were in the same boat made people feel less alone.

Once popularity and interest grew for livestream concerts, more platforms made it possible for artists to sell tickets to replace lost revenue from cancelled tours. This allowed for higher production value and more high-profile artists on the line ups. Fans were able to buy tickets to attend or in some cases donate contributions during the stream in order to support their favorite artists. This return of revenue to artists and production companies helped a lot of members of the music industry survive. 

After some time to adjust, the introduction of drive-in concerts allowed fans to see artists in person while remaining socially distanced. Although you don’t get the full experience of being at a normal concert, this gave artists another creative way to stay afloat and brought back the audio production value to the experience for people who aren't fortunate enough to have high-end sound systems at home.

With new innovations in music consumption, and upgrades to home networks and audio systems, virtual events will continue to shape the way we listen and watch music content post-covid. Artists have been able to sell out entire concerts without having a physical venue and reach new audiences who previously would not have attended the live show. Livestreams cut out the added obstacles of traveling to shows and working around a schedule to be available to attend. Some fans will genuinely want to continue to experience these shows from the comfort of their own living rooms, even once things have returned to normal. The way both artists and fans experience music have changed drastically throughout the past year, and  although the pandemic may be temporary, the effect it has had on the way we consume music will be long -lasting. It will be interesting to see where it takes us.