The Death Of The Live Performance | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Entertainment

The Death Of The Live Performance

Musicians often struggle to fill the house at their cocerts. Why is this happening and why should you care?

20
The Death Of The Live Performance
Cleveland Orchestra

There is nothing better than a live performance. Music just seems to sound better live than it does on a recording. Unfortunately, we are seeing a decline in attendance at live performances. Professional musicians struggle to fill their seats. College and high school groups do not even come close to filling the house. Even pop music performers will sometimes struggle to sell out their shows. Has modern technology started to kill the live performance? Should we even care?

It is true that we have far more ways to enjoy music today than ever before. This, in a way, is great for music as a whole. People can listen to their favorite artist over and over again. They can watch an entire musical or opera on YouTube whenever they want. A professional orchestra can live stream a concert to the entire world for free. This is going to allow fans to enjoy the music they love all the time as well as introduce new fans to the pieces being performed or the group performing them. However, despite the great advantages, these technological advances have a down side as well.

An unlimited access to music makes people both lazy and cheap. Why pay for a concert when you can hear all of the music for free? Why should you leave your house when you can enjoy a concert from the comfort of your couch? We are living in a world where music is more accessible than ever before, and this might be the downfall of the live performance.

Why should you care? It is true that it could be a lot nicer to enjoy music and performances for free at home rather than going out and having to pay. Sure, you are still supporting a musician by purchasing their albums or listening to their performances, but it is never the same. A performer lives for the live performances. They feed off of the energy from the audience. That is fine for the performer, but why should you care? What is so great about attending a live performance? Well, when music is performed live, something magical happens. The performer, along with the audience, creates something out of nothing. They perform with the energy from the crowd. When it is over, it is gone forever. Sure, they could perform the same piece again, but it is never exactly the same twice. Attending a live performance gives you an aesthetic experience that you will never get from a recording or even from a live stream.

Of course music is benefitting from modern technology. Musician and performers can reach much larger audiences than ever before. With this, however, we are witnessing the downfall of the live performance. This does not need to happen. Go to live performances. Attend high school and college concert (which are usually free or have a minimal charge). We can all work together to keep the live performance alive. Trust me, you will not regret it! You can have an aesthetic experience from a recording or live stream, however it is not the same as a live performance.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

180483
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

7472
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

452650
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

23368
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments