Concerts happen every day all over the world. Artists’ music spans different genres and styles. What makes concerts and other music events so special? Do people go for the experience, or the Instagram post the day after? There are several pros and cons to attending a live music event such as a concert. Some things make a concert, and some things can break a concert partially because of the many different elements that go into a concert. Furthermore, concert culture has evolved dramatically in recent years due to the rise of social media, changing economics, and the shift in audience expectations.
When COVID-19 hit, it not only had a significant impact on concerts and live events but also on the music industry as a whole. Due to the pandemic, all live performances were cancelled. This caused a huge loss of income for the music industry. However, post-coronavirus ticket prices have grown exponentially (Economics Observatory). For example, Taylor Swift’s “Eras Tour” tickets ranged from around $150 to $200. Meanwhile, resale tickets cost upwards of $1,000. The majority of music artists make their money through performing live. The pandemic created circumstances that made it much harder for artists to earn a living wage.
Although the loss of live events had a large economic impact, it also had a big cultural impact. The demise of live performances deeply affected the way performers and audiences could relate to music and each other (Meiea). Artists struggled to make connections with their fans. Without concerts, meet and greets, and more, promoting music became a challenge within itself. One of the biggest parts of live and in person events is the relationship it builds between an artist and their fanbase. Fewer connections make it harder for an artists to earn money. Overall, COVID-19 had an insane impact on the music industry and is part of the reason concert culture is the way it is today.
As there has been an uprising in social media over the past few years, the magic of attending concerts has slowly dissipated. That spark people used to feel when the band started playing is much less noticeable. Why, though? It’s because audiences have most likely already heard or seen performances from videos on social media. Social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok have been one of the major reasons concert culture has changed over time. People share setlists from the show, videos of the performer, and much more.
While social media can spoil some surprises, it can also help artists reach wider audiences. People spend a lot of time filming on their phones throughout a show. Having photos and videos can be a great way to remember the night, but can also distract fans’ attention from the show. Now, artists have to think up ways to keep fans entertained. Some examples of this are how Taylor Swift had her surprise song section during the Eras Tour. There was also Sabrina Carpenter’s fun “Nonsense” outros (Screenrant.com). Role Model brings out celebrities on stage to portray his character, Sally, every show. This element of surprise during concerts is one of the only things keeping us entertained. Due to social media, that feeling of pure exhilaration at live shows is becoming a little bit harder to find.
One of the main factors that goes into seeing a music artist perform live is the aesthetics of the show. Concert attendees ask questions like, What is the music’s overall vibe, and what should they wear that matches that persona? Many fanbases inspire their outfits from the artist’s album cover, wear the artist’s merch, or simply plan their outfits based on the vibes of the music. While planning elaborate outfits for shows is not a new trend, there can be many upsides to the focus fans have on their concert fashion. Spending time curating the perfect concert outfit can help add excitement and anticipation to the show. Through these fun outfits, fans can express not only the music’s vibe, but their own unique interpretation of it. Charli xcx’s hit album, “brat”, had a neon green theme. Her song “Apple” was given a trending TikTok dance. These elements are just some of the many ways fans gain inspiration for their concert outfits. Using popular lyrics or the theme of the album are just a few of many ways to create a cute concert fit. Another example of this could be Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet tour. Carpenter has a feminine, ’50s-inspired look. Fans included this in their outfits with many other elements such as pastels, kiss stains, glitter, mini dresses, and Carpenter’s iconic boots (Off the Record Press). A perfect concert outfit elevates the experience to a new level. These fun, creative looks are great ways for fans to express themselves in a unique and fashionable way.
Moreover, there are some downsides and upsides to concert culture in recent years. With rising ticket prices, controversial social media takes, and concert aesthetics, it’s clear there is room for improvement. Ultimately, attending a concert or music festival is a unique and enjoyable experience. There is no feeling like when the artist comes on stage, and the whole venue erupts in cheers and screams. Whether they’re performing in a small venue or a big stadium, attending a concert is an unforgettable experience. It’s different every time, and that is what makes concerts so special. Not the food, or the merch, or the outfits. No, the true reason everyone loves a good concert is the flow state you enter for those short hours. Only time will tell how fans and artists adapt to the many changes surrounding concert culture. Although one thing is for certain: the spirit of live music will continue to thrive through generations.
