Music concerts are going the way of drive-in movie theaters amid the coronavirus crisis — with fans to watch performances from inside cars, according to a report, via the New York Post.
The electronic musician Marc Ribellet announced the first-ever drive-in concert tour in the US, and entertainment honchos say it could become the new normal, according to the music news site dailyvoice.com.
“It’s important for us to keep doing drive-in concerts, which we’re going to test and roll out, which we’re having some success with,” Michael Rapino, president of the entertainment firm Live Nation said. “We’re seeing lots of artists chomping to get back out once it’s safe.”
Music event organizers are also considering reduced capacity festivals outside or in sprawling stadiums to encourage social distancing, Rapino said.
Last month, Danish singer-songwriter Mads Langer performed for about 500 fans in cars in his home country.
Meanwhile, the popular New Orleans venue, Rock’n’Bowl, put its own twist on the trend by broadcasting live music on a massive screen in the club’s parking lot.
Large gatherings, including concerts, were banned in the US in March due to the pandemic. Live Nation, which also owns Ticketmaster, has seen its stock drop by nearly half during the crisis, according to the outlet.
14 Responses
I don’t see this becoming a trend long term , I might be wrong here, As I said in another post in my town, live music venues will be back open May 21st and from everything I know and have been told it’s going to be business as usual – now some people might stay away but the climate here is , people are ready to go out and have a good time and get back to normal -if social media posts are correct some very popular local spots here will be at capacity come May 21st –
Robert.
If you don’t mind my asking, where are you located?
D 🙂
I wouldn’t spend my hard earned money to attend a drive in concert. IMO, the most enjoyable moments of live concerts are standing together with other fans and banging to the music, the crowd intensity, and the band feeding off the crowd frenzy.
Last concert I attended was about 10 weeks ago….I saw Overkill. I stood near the front of the stage, shoulder to shoulder with my metal brethren, sang lyrics with Blitz, got hit by the pit that was swirling immediately behind me, sweated like a pig, and I loved every minute of that concert experience. Now, how can one have that much fun sitting in a vehicle while still wearing clothing? ;o)
Well stated. Although, I would attend a drive-in metal show before I would ever attend a Church drive-in. Just need to set the record straight…\†/
And what are you supposed to do if you have to ___ wear a diaper? Or a catheter? I don’t think so! Stupid idea! I’d rather stay home and watch a concert on DVD! Or pay-per-view. – Until things get back to normal, and they will. A drive-in movie is great, but a drive-in concert? I’ll pass.
Dana ,
we live 45 mins south of Detroit just across the Ohio line
Okay, then opening up in your area makes a lot more sense.
I am in Manhattan, I think we should be, and probably will be, the last to open up. We were hit the hardest, and are at the epicenter, of this horror.
“You gotta lose your mind in Detroit Rock City!” ;o)
With everyone having big screen tv’s and surround sound, I would think pay per view concerts might also make sense for live performances. I know it’s not the same as having a live audience giving immediate feedback, (Will everyone now beep their car horns and flash their high beams after a song?) but there’s not a lot of alternatives right now. I will admit, it would be a little weird when the band finishes a song, and there’s no applause.
I could see some value in pay per view concerts – having the fans request songs; which would be nice for bands with deep tracks/large catalogue or specialty/mini concerts (playing album front to back).