Thinkin bout you. Yes you, Frank. I was supposed to cry (both happy and simp tears) in the Polo Fields with you for my 20th birthday this past April … I'll leave all my complaining and exposed spoiled-ness at that, sorry. Please join me in watching this hour-long YouTube video of someone living their best life seeing Frank Ocean live in the front row at FYF Fest in 2017.
Anyway … I'm here to talk about why live music is so healing and what Miss Rona has taken away from us. I'm also here to talk about how artists have managed to still deliver their magic virtually and whether it's the same, better, or worse.
Concerts and festivals have been a part of my leisure since my first concert, Coldplay's Viva La Vida tour in 2008. These events used to be rewards for my good grades or gifts from family & friends; then, they became gifts to myself. After long weeks or months of school and work, I would treat myself to seeing one of my favorites play in Los Angeles and invite a friend or two. Being squished between sweaty strangers and anticipating the artist setting foot on the stage before us was the ultimate uplifting experience. Some, including myself, might call it spiritual.
There's something about almost everyone having the same positive energy and expressing gratitude for music in one space that exudes good vibes. It makes me feel connected to not only the music, but also the others around me, the people I may have gone with, and mostly the present moment. As cheesy as it sounds, live music helps me feel nostalgic and hopeful without living in the past or the future. I'm able to fully appreciate the current moment and that says a lot for me, someone who lets things overwhelmingly stress me out.
With the physical experience of a concert being taken away, virtual and even socially-distanced music events are drastically different. I would say worse because of this, but I should be grateful that modern times even allow me to see artists perform from the comfort of my own home or anywhere really.
In terms of quality translating via twitch, YouTube, Instagram, etc., I would say the ones I've watched have all been pretty seamless. Most of these performances are also pre-recorded and then streamed. The only one I would say has compromised quality is Instagram live. I watched Jack Johnson on Instagram live and he had to deal with his screen was lagging or comments not even showing up on his phone, so he had to ask his wife to take any song recommendations through her account. I've also been watching a lot of electronic music online, so the tracks are easy to play through a computer. Someone who is playing live instruments or relying solely on their voice will obviously struggle delivering the same high quality sound online.
Other than that, the only thing missing is meeting friendly strangers and striking up conversations about your life story or just a random common interest. When will we be able to experience this again? :(
In conclusion, F* 2020 … if you know, you know.