Hybrid concerts might be the solution we’ve all been waiting for
So, okay, a mix of live, in-person audience and a live stream might not be as new and groundbreaking, but as more and more concerts like this begin to emerge as a substitute for the online concert format that’s captured our minds and Internet connections this year, a picture begins to reveal itself. Live audience provides just the energy that was lacking from the isolated and sometimes too laid back productions from home.
While we all want to go there in person, being able to enjoy a live event through the lens of a pro videographer, with proper lighting, sound, and great picture — complete with nice venue, mood lighting, furniture, costumes, backgrounds that just work — it’s a great experience, capable of uplifting a livestream to an almost concert-like experience.
As we’ve realized that social distanced get-togethers with a limited number of people, masks, sanitisers, and proper distancing measures and behavior can be a good solution for less affected regions, the question of profitability of such events came into focus. With limited capacity, the number of visitors to a live event alone would not be able to cover the production cost for the event and pay the bills for everyone working on it.
Offering ticketing to both the live event at the venue and to a quality livestream of it online ups the roof on the profits from the concert and can make sense to both the organizers and the audience, not all of whom might be able to or willing to join the event in person.
On Show4me, we’ve already had a few online concerts that also had a face-to-face element to them, and they have been a huge success with positive feedback from both the participants and the artists.
British band All Hail Hyena held a small show in Burnley, offering 40 tickets to the live event as well as separate tickets for the stream. The event was held at an art gallery where groups of no more than 6 people were able to attend together.
The hybrid offline + online show offered a chance for the band to perform live and connect with the audience in person, for the attendees to have a good time and be entertained, while online audience could be a part of the experience without the need to travel to the show and having to distance, wear masks, and follow all the necessary measures.
The versality of the format is what draws more and more artists into it. We list other examples of hybrid events on Show4me in our full blog post here.
