The dynamic landscape of live music is a hot topic, exploring how recent events like the Black Keys' tour highlight industry challenges. Discussions dive into the fascinating world of The Sphere, questioning its role in the future of concerts and entertainment. Ownership models in sports teams are examined with humor, while the struggles of emerging artists against a backdrop of internet culture raise crucial questions. There's also a look at changing audience attendance and ticket-buying behaviors in this digital age.
The Sphere's $2.3 billion investment signifies a potential shift back to large-scale dedicated live performance venues amid evolving audience preferences.
Dwindling ticket sales for major artists highlight the music industry's consolidation around few high-profile names, challenging visibility for smaller acts.
Concerns grow about technology overshadowing artists in live performances as audiences seek genuine in-person experiences that foster community.
Deep dives
The Sphere and the New Venue Paradigm
The Sphere is a groundbreaking 20,000-seat venue in Las Vegas that has generated considerable discussion regarding its impact on live performances. This architectural marvel features giant LED screens on both the interior and exterior, which radically enhances the audience experience compared to traditional venues. The investment of $2.3 billion marks a significant moment for the arts, as it signals a return to large-scale venues dedicated specifically to live performance rather than just sports or commercial events. Despite skepticism about its claims of revolutionizing live experiences, the sheer scale and design of The Sphere present unique possibilities for artists and audience engagement.
Challenges Facing Touring Artists
Many popular artists, including JLo and The Black Keys, are struggling to fill large venues as ticket sales dwindle. The underlying reasons for this trend may include the evolving landscape of the music industry, as artists contend with cycles of popularity influenced by external factors like COVID-19 and changing audience preferences. For instance, three major tours (Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, and Bruce Springsteen) accounted for 20% of top tour revenue in 2023, highlighting the growing disparity between major acts and smaller artists. This phenomenon indicates that the touring market may be consolidating around a few high-profile names, leaving emerging artists and even established ones struggling for visibility and financial viability.
The Role of Technology in Artistic Experiences
The Sphere incorporates cutting-edge technology to enhance the audiovisual experience, prompting discussions on the role of technology in live performances. It raises questions about how immersive experiences might overshadow the artists themselves, transforming the performance into a backdrop for an elaborate visual spectacle. While this venue shines a light on technological advancements, there are concerns about the artistic authenticity and the commodification of live music experiences. As bands become secondary to the technological marvels surrounding them, the very essence of live performance could be imperiled.
The Impact of Streaming and Digital Culture
The podcast examines how the rise of streaming services and digital culture has transformed the way audiences engage with music and live events. Artists now rely heavily on social media and online engagement to build their fanbase, but this fragmentation makes it difficult to gauge their actual popularity. The example of Charli XCX illustrates how, despite a dedicated fanbase and high streaming numbers, her live tour sales lagged initially, reflecting a disconnect between online popularity and ticket sales. This complexity illustrates the evolving dynamics of music consumption and its implications for artists navigating a digital landscape.
The Cultural Cachet of Unique Live Events
The desire for unique, in-person experiences continues to thrive despite the availability of digital alternatives, as seen with The Sphere and renowned venues like Berghain. People are increasingly seeking authentic experiences that transcend the digital realm, craving the shared human connection found at live events. This sense of community and exclusivity enhances the cultural cachet associated with attending specific performances, fostering a certain status among fans. As the entertainment landscape evolves, the interplay between digital accessibility and the appeal of physical attendance will shape the future of live musical experiences.
Live music continues to evolve in our post-covid, pre-bird flu world—and nothing even approaching a new normal has yet to appear. To try and get a handle on the complexities of a constantly-moving situation, Saxon and Sam decided to go...both big and small.
By small, we're talking about the ticket sales for the Black Keys (very canceled) stadium tour—one of a raft of recent underselling events (lookin' at you Coachella) that have kicked up all manner of concern among the music press. What's happening? Well, it's some combination of the internet, the resale market, rapacious monopolies, inflation, and...mimetic vibes? That all? We discuss.
And if that's not heady enough, we try to wrap our heads (if not our eyes) around The Sphere—James Dolan's energy-draining, future-baiting, Knicks-helping monstrosity in Las Vegas. Is it the logical endpoint of digital-age concerts? Berghain for Baby Boomers? A utopian use of finance capital in a dark age? An inevitable tax write-off? And...who can actually fill it?
Come for The Sphere in the age of mechanical distraction. Stay for The Orb.
