Rock n’ Roll is alive and digital
I suppose its old news that the Internet has transformed the music industry. We know how that story turned out (so far at least). Surprisingly, it happened sooner than anyone could have predicted. In less than 10 years we went from passionate debates about the digitization of recorded music and the legality of peer to peer file sharing services to barely talking about the issue. The problems have not gone away, but legitimate business models have emerged to minimize some of the concerns. I haven’t bought a CD in over 10 years and I don’t miss them. Unlike most people, mp3s did change my listening habits. I still prefer albums to singles and I don’t care for mixed playlists much. The iPod just made my life a lot easier.
However, recorded music is only one aspect of music appreciation. Live music is, for lack of a better term, the real thing. The digital age has not really been able to find a way to take that experience out of clubs and arenas and bring it into our homes. Yes, concerts have been streamed live, filmed in 3D and there are numerous other efforts to digitally bring the concert experience into our homes and elsewhere. However, no matter how far we go in terms of adding innovative interactive features to streaming concerts, will they ever be able to replace the feeling of actually being present at a concert? Anyone who really appreciates music and has enjoyed a live concert experience knows that a good performance can draw you into a place where you’re no longer just a viewer or listener but actually completely immersed in a dazzling multimedia experience. Your senses get swept away by the crowd, the atmosphere and the collective energy that resonates between the performers and the audience. It’s unlike anything else and for some; it could be the closest they come to a spiritual experience. Can that truly be recreated?
Obviously there are tremendous opportunities to add new revenue streams by making concerts available to live audiences via the Internet, but I doubt any are being designed as a real replacement. Theoretically, more revenue opportunities should result in a drop in concert ticket prices, which should then increase concert attendance — thereby keeping live music alive. Of course, there will be fans that will prefer the comfort of their homes, but streaming concerts (no matter how interactive) will probably not replace the experience of attending live performances in the foreseeable future.
What I’m really excited about when it comes to digital technologies enhancing the way we experience music, is what will actually happen at live concerts (and not what will be simulated in a home-viewing environment). Live concerts are a prime candidate for augmented reality implementations. Lighting, stage design, sound, lasers and pyrotechnics already play such a crucial role in enhancing the overall atmosphere at a live concert setting, but imagine layering augmented 3D visuals. These developments combined with how Artificial Intelligence is going to change the live performance landscape could not only lead to augmented performances of real musicians, but could also one day make it possible for us to attend a simulated Beatles or Nirvana concert in person. So much better than bringing Kurt Cobain back to life and making him sing Bon Jovi songs.
I’m all for technology that enhances the entertainment value of an art form without ruining the art itself and I look forward to the promising future of live entertainment!
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