Live Music: How digital technology has changed the live music experience Along with the coming of the coronavirus pandemic

Abstract

Background: Attending live music shows has been a popular past time for musicians and music fans alike. But with the current events of the coronavirus pandemic that activity has almost completely stopped due to a majority of people having to live in isolation in order to stay safe. One way how live music has continued is through the use of digital technology during the pandemic. Objective: The aim of the study is to piece together information on how digital technology has impacted experiencing live music while tying in the current events of the coronavirus pandemic. Methods: Research methods consist of two phases. Phase I consists of a systematic literature review of peer-reviewed articles and popular pieces. Phase II consists of a questionnaire for participants to complete in relevance to current events. The research question: How has experiencing live music changed with the advent of digital technology and the current coronavirus pandemic? Results: Innovations in digital technology have allowed individuals to experience live music from remote places and can create new and engaging experiences between participants of live music shows. And with the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the reliance on using these innovations such as social media and video live streaming has increased. Conclusion: The findings in the study signify the importance of digital technology in live music to connect people and suggest increased usage in a post-pandemic industry. Keywords: Live Music, Coronavirus, Digital Technology, Social Media, Video-Live Streaming