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How Virtual Reality Will Change Live Music

It's only a matter of time before virtual reality permanently enters our lives. This is how virtual reality will change live music.

By Nick ParoniPublished 6 years ago 3 min read
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With the phenomenon of the hologram, featuring some of our favorite deceased artists, we've embraced the early introduction of virtual reality. But when virtual reality becomes more of an established product and instills its influence in the music industry, how will it affect artists and fans alike? This is how virtual reality will change live music.

Monopolization

We've seen it happen with Ticketmaster and Live Nation. The expansion of virtual reality will change live music and open the door for other companies and organizations to join. When that happens, it's only a matter of time before a major company like Ticketmaster begins to take over the market and become the only destination for virtual reality, stifling creative endeavors.

Phone Recording

At live shows, a sea of waving lighters has been replaced by a sea of phones. Artists have already become accustomed to people recording videos or taking photos at their performances. But many have spoken against it in the defense that it takes away from the performance. Especially if people record the performance through Facebook live in real time, phone recording can alter or ruin the experience and ultimately, virtual reality will change live music.

Holograms

Holograms have taken over the live festival circuit, featuring holograms of Tupac and Kurt Cobain at Coachella. While it may be visually stunning, it is completely misleading and disrespectful to the original performer. Would Kurt Cobain or Tupac want themselves to be seen as a fake representation? Probably not. The more and more realistic that holograms become, the more virtual reality will change live music.

It'll change the way music is written and made.

When the experience of virtual reality slowly takes over, it'll affect every way in which music is written and made. Today, all commercial music is written and made with revenue in mind. There will always be an underground response to this, but virtual reality will change live music and if it finds itself to the mainstream, it will influence producers and songwriters to write music with the market in mind.

It'll change the recording industry.

The recording industry is already a mess and a fickle business. With most record sales concentrated on digital sales, it's only a matter of time before virtual reality will change live music as companies focus their attention to virtual reality platforms. If people buy and download less by experiencing their favorite acts through virtual reality, it'll change the way we listen and experience music.

It takes away from the live music performance.

The reason we go to shows is to experience the way a piece of music was supposed to be written and performed. Part of this experience extends to the feeling and vibe one gets from listening to music or watching someone perform. When virtual reality enters the picture, you're only getting a fraction of this feeling. This is one of the ways virtual reality will change live music.

Break Up Bands

There are a ton of bands out there. Some are dependent on certain aspects such as making money or bringing out crowds. But if virtual reality keeps fans at home instead of coming to shows, it will surely cripple live performances and a band's main draw, one of the reasons why virtual reality will change live music.

Copyright Issues

Virtual reality opens a new door to a whole set of legality issues. Normally, musical and lyrical copyrights belong to the publisher of the song. Live performances usually belong to the record label and trademarks are owned by the band. With virtual reality, this only complicates the legalities and raises new questions as to who owns what. It won't only change laws, but virtual reality will change live music as a whole.

Venue Reception

Venues survive on food, drink, and ticket sales. If more fans stay at home for a virtual reality experience instead of attending, it's almost certain that some venues may go out of business. It's expected for live venues to reject this new technology, unless they develop a new way of making money from it, such as charging people to access these shows. Virtual reality will change live music for everyone involved.

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About the Creator

Nick Paroni

Former radio DJ who loves The Ramones, podcasts and his tiny apartment in Brooklyn.

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