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Today on Lanarama: Techie Tuesday! Are Online Concerts & Virtual World Performances the Future of Live Gigs?

Today on Lanarama: Techie Tuesday! Are Online Concerts & Virtual World Performances the Future of Live Gigs?

Posted by Lana Gay on Nov 03, 2009

Last Friday, the Foo Fighters performed a Livestream online concert on Facebook and iPhone from their own studios in LA.  In between songs during the close to 3 hour set they took requests from users and responded to Facebook comments.

Like many folks who would rather watch a movie/ hockey game/ awards show in the privacy of their own home, will online streaming of concerts be the next big thing for live music?  In The Foo Fighters case is that there wasn’t live in studio audience, just an online one (which varies from U2’s streaming concert held a week prior with an online audience of around 10 million).  Virtual Worlds like Second Life and Utherverse have been holding concerts for avatars for some time now.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?  Would you stream a 2 hour concert and watch in real time at home? Would you pay a ticket price for it?

Considering the biggest financial loss for bands can be touring a vast country like Canada, maybe this a good thing for Independent Canadian bands…

Post your comments on the blog or email feedback@cbcradio3.com

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  1. Silvorgold
    01

    re: Today on Lanarama: Techie Tuesday! Are Online Concerts & Virtual World Performances the Future of Live Gigs?

    Posted on Nov 03, 2009 by Silvorgold

    I prefer live concerts... IN PERSON, where you can see the musicians in person and not on a 2.5"-60" screen. where at times they accidentally spit or sweat on you (ya that is nasty). It just isn't the same on a TV, online or on the radio. It doesn't have the same magic.

     

    On the other side of the coin, one of my favourite things to do is sit on the couch with the laptop and listen to CBC Radio 3 concerts when they happen! One of my favourites will always bee See Vous Play!

  2. Satori
    02

    It depends on the band

    Posted on Nov 03, 2009 by Satori

    Any decent band is worth watching via streaming if it's for free, like U2 did. But it would take a really good act for me to want to pay a price for it.

    As far as Canadian acts, if they were Dan Mangan, Woodhands, Ohbijou or Winter Gloves I would pay money to see them.

  3. Silvorgold
    03

    Speaking of watching a musician on a big screen

    Posted on Nov 03, 2009 by Silvorgold

    It kind of sucked seeing Paul McCartney/The Stills live, sure they were playing live for us in Quebec City, but I had to watch them perform on a big screen because there were just too many people there

  4. krib
    04

    re: Today on Lanarama: Techie Tuesday! Are Online Concerts & Virtual World Performances the Future of Live Gigs?

    Posted on Nov 03, 2009 by krib

    I can't see paying for online streaming. For one, there are so many possible points of failure that the chances of actually watching the entire show without any issues is slim.

    On the other hand, I would probably tune in to see a streaming concert and wouldn't think twice if they had some kind of advertising in it.

  5. keydive
    05

    re: Today on Lanarama: Techie Tuesday! Are Online Concerts & Virtual World Performances the Future of Live Gigs?

    Posted on Nov 03, 2009 by keydive

    Simple answer for me is no.  I have listened to a couple live concerts on R3 but that was more because I was listening to the station anyways at home or at work and that is what was on.  I have listened to a recorded live session or some of the concerts that CBC has to offer on the website. However, I can't see myself sitting at home listening to a concert on a Saturday night. It just isn't the same as actually being there in person with a beer in hand.  Also my roommates look at me weird when I start busting a move in the living room.

  6. Jason Neve
    06

    LOVE THIS SONG RIGHT NOW....

    Posted on Nov 03, 2009 by Jason Neve
  7. TeamQuiggan
    07

    re: Today on Lanarama: Techie Tuesday! Are Online Concerts & Virtual World Performances the Future of Live Gigs?

    Posted on Nov 03, 2009 by TeamQuiggan

    Shows for me have always been about the experience, which wouldn't be possible to capture online. Both good and bad. Then again, I haven't gone to see a show in years, because I don't really enjoy dealing with the jerks that often attend events in droves, I also don't like sit down arena rock shows.

    Myself and a crew of about 35 people watched an indie game designer livestream a piano  session for about 3 hours one Sunday Morning. It was really cool and weirdly intimate.

  8. KFresh
    08

    re: Today on Lanarama: Techie Tuesday! Are Online Concerts & Virtual World Performances the Future of Live Gigs?

    Posted on Nov 03, 2009 by KFresh

    I would never pay for a streamed show.

     

    EVER.

  9. crimewaves
    09

    re: Today on Lanarama: Techie Tuesday! Are Online Concerts & Virtual World Performances the Future of Live Gigs?

    Posted on Nov 03, 2009 by crimewaves

    For me, seeing bands perform live will be one hundred percent more genuine than seeing them on the internet.

    I need to be in that atmosphere to get the full effect.

    However, there have been occasions where I've seen concerts streamed on live, due to the age restrictions (I'm less than a year shy of 19.. those shows bum me out.)

     

    PS, THIS IS HER WALMART COMMERCIAL SONG, ISN'T IT?

  10. LimeJello
    10

    re: Today on Lanarama: Techie Tuesday! Are Online Concerts & Virtual World Performances the Future of Live Gigs?

    Posted on Nov 03, 2009 by LimeJello

    Hi Lana,

    Great topic.  I prefer the small venues with live bands.  The raw energy you get from the crowds can often feed and evoke great performances from the artist.

    Dr. Noodle

    P.S

    Booty Bump! :-)

  11. TeamQuiggan
    11

    re: Today on Lanarama: Techie Tuesday! Are Online Concerts & Virtual World Performances the Future of Live Gigs?

    Posted on Nov 03, 2009 by TeamQuiggan

    Everytime I hear that Hannah Georgas Song, I think its Graham Wright!

  12. keydive
    12

    @KFresh

    Posted on Nov 03, 2009 by keydive

    Ha ha I love your Avatar.

  13. hgummo
    13

    @crimewaves

    Posted on Nov 03, 2009 by hgummo

    Are you talking about You've Got A Place Called Home? If so, then yes.

  14. TwIsTeD_Maple
    14

    Hannah Georgas & Walmart

    Posted on Nov 03, 2009 by TwIsTeD_Maple

    @Crimewaves

    You can see the Walmart commercial using the Hannah Georgas song here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMugsudRVi8

    Apparently you can also download the song for free from Walmart's site: http:://mp3.walmart.com

  15. krib
    15

    Hannah Georgas song

    Posted on Nov 03, 2009 by krib

    yeah, it's the Wal-mart song.

    As I understand the history, it's something like this...

    It started as a little jingle for a particular wal-mart commercial. Wal-mart started getting all kinds of inquiries about the song they used, and there wasn't a whole song, so they asked her to write a full song, which she did.

     

  16. Benoit from Ottawa
    16

    @ KFresh

    Posted on Nov 03, 2009 by Benoit from Ottawa

    Not even if it was a big favourite who doesn't tour, or only rarely, and they made it cheap ($10)?

  17. cinnie23
    17

    re: Today on Lanarama: Techie Tuesday! Are Online Concerts & Virtual World Performances the Future of Live Gigs?

    Posted on Nov 03, 2009 by cinnie23

    I love it when CBC streams concerts on the radio! The Polaris Prize was really fun, as I watched the video stream on Much Music's site, and listened to the behind-the-scenes stuff on CBC. Also, back in March when I was stuck in the middle of nowhere Saskatchewan, I watched a lot of streaming concerts from SXSW and Canadian Music Week (even got a shout out from Adaline, which was awesome).

    Of course, nothing compares to live concerts, but when you don't have access to them, streaming video is the next best thing. As for paying for them...I'm not a big fan of that idea.

  18. reid.creative
    18

    no thanks!

    Posted on Nov 03, 2009 by reid.creative

    The internet was supposed to reduce the number of ink on paper books we read and replace them with digital books.

    I don't know about you, but there's something about curing up with a cup of tea and a book that you just can't beat.

    Much like books, live shows are an experience. Live shows aren't just visual and aural, but they engages all the senses.

    Some of the most memorable eveings of my life have been at incredible shows. I have a feeling watching a show online wouldn't have the same effect...

  19. TheRadioHead
    19

    No way man!

    Posted on Nov 03, 2009 by TheRadioHead

    There are too many sensory experiences with a live show that would be lost watching it on line! 

     

    LIstening to the recorded music while you wait, the taste of the cheap booze, watching all the people around you, shoes sticking to the floor, talking about it in the car on the way home.

     

    It all adds up to a whole experience, one that can not be replicated while sitting on your couch.

  20. reid.creative
    20

    @TheRadioHead

    Posted on Nov 03, 2009 by reid.creative

    Seriously - you said everything I wanted to say... but much more articulately!

    I completely agree... the cheap booze, people watching, the post show debrief... can't beat it.

    Anyone going to Langhorne Slim tonight at the Media Club? Should be a good show...

  21. AlexOfAnders
    21

    I don't think I'd pay, evar!

    Posted on Nov 03, 2009 by AlexOfAnders

    I love that you can listen/see concerts online, it's great and I would(and have) done it for shows I can't attend such as the R3 broadcasts of the Halifax Pop Explosion, PhogFest, etc. Although it doesn't match the live experience at all, it's great to still hear it because I can't make it to the real live event and the price is right!

    Paying for it just seems weird, why would I pay to listen or watch a show? It'd be similar to watching a music video that just has the band playing or listening to a live album. I'd rather spend the money on an album. Watching online is not even close to the same experience because going to a show isn't only about the music. If it was, we'd all stay at home and listen to the album.

  22. Absotively
    22

    Maybe

    Posted on Nov 03, 2009 by Absotively

    It would have to be more than just a streamed show—if it had the kind of interaction Lana is talking about, with the band taking requests and answering questions and stuff, then I'd be willing to pay a little.  It wouldn't be the same as a live show, certainly, but it's not necessarily the case that all the differences would be bad.

    Of course, if I were paying because I expected interaction, I would also expect limited numbers; if there were ten thousand people watching, I wouldn't think my opportunity to interact with the band was great enough to pay for.

  23. hgummo
    23

    re: Today on Lanarama: Techie Tuesday! Are Online Concerts & Virtual World Performances the Future of Live Gigs?

    Posted on Nov 03, 2009 by hgummo

    I agree with what everyone's saying about the experience. The experience of being at the live show is what really makes it fun and exiting (it can also make it a totally crappy experience, but usually that's not the case). I just can't get all that interested in watching an artist on TV or listening to them on my computer... it's not the same! It might still be technically a "live" show, but it's not really live if you're not there in the same space as the band. That's my opinion, anyways.

  24. TheRadioHead
    24

    The next winner of the Bucky for Best Live Act

    Posted on Nov 03, 2009 by TheRadioHead

    At the Lo Pub in Winnipeg tonight.   

     

    Library Voices!

     

    I am so bagged, that time change has done me in.  Definately no The Pack AD tomorrow, can't do 3 nights in a row...

     

    Lana, no fair possing a lot of situations where streaming a show might be beneficial, I hadn't considered them, of course.  So I need to rethink my rigid "No Way Man!", and maybe change it to "Only Sometimes Man!"

  25. boders
    25

    i dunno about the next big thing but..

    Posted on Nov 03, 2009 by boders

    I always enjoy the live concerts that R3 broadcasts and would definitely listen to others. When I read Lana's post about the Foo's concert I said "darn, I would've tuned into that" to myself..

    Paying to see a stream is a different beast...I could see myself maybe paying up to $5  for access to a stream (they'd have to be a darn good band though)

  26. Absotively
    26

    Sound at the end of "Sold"

    Posted on Nov 03, 2009 by Absotively

    I think it's just a finger-rubbing-a-guitar-string sound (or maybe a pick).

  27. boders
    27

    re: Today on Lanarama: Techie Tuesday! Are Online Concerts & Virtual World Performances the Future of Live Gigs?

    Posted on Nov 03, 2009 by boders

    I don't think that anyone is trying to make the argument that streamed concerts can REPLACE the real deal...just exploring the potential of it as a new medium.  Lets compare; watching the crowd bang plates to some kickin Elliot Brood or BEING there and banging your own pan...obviously there is no comparison in the end, but if I couldn't be there watching from my house the stream would make me more than happy

  28. jillenium00
    28

    re: Today on Lanarama: Techie Tuesday! Are Online Concerts & Virtual World Performances the Future of Live Gigs?

    Posted on Nov 03, 2009 by jillenium00

    Maybe. I watch a lot of big-name concerts on DVD, i.e. the Police in Buenis Aires and the Last Waltz. The production work put into those movies makes them worth paying for. I have my doubts that  live internet streaming could match the quality of those videos. Who knows though. I'm not that tech saavy and I'm not sure how much production value can be put into live shows.

  29. TeamQuiggan
    29

    re: Today on Lanarama: Techie Tuesday! Are Online Concerts & Virtual World Performances the Future of Live Gigs?

    Posted on Nov 03, 2009 by TeamQuiggan

    You know what? I prefer the interaction you get with the artist in an online form then the sweaty BS that you get at a regular show. Particularly the last couple I've been to where people stand around like zombies.

  30. boders
    30

    re: Today on Lanarama: Techie Tuesday! Are Online Concerts & Virtual World Performances the Future of Live Gigs?

    Posted on Nov 03, 2009 by boders

    i'm not sure how watching people bang plates turned into banging a pan when there in person..everything must be relative or something..

  31. boders
    31

    @jillenium00

    Posted on Nov 03, 2009 by boders

    ooohh The Last Waltz...I could never watch that too many times, fantastic all the way through..just hearing the opening riff to Caravan with Van Morrison in my head is makin me want to dance

    You'd be surprised at the quality that is available for live streaming..provided it is done right. The broadcast that Much did of the Polaris Prize Awards show sounded great coming outta my comps 2.1 system (i didn't watch as it was streaming live, but I'm sure it was just a recording of what went live and would've been just as good at the time)

  32. Animal Nation
    32

    re: Today on Lanarama: Techie Tuesday! Are Online Concerts & Virtual World Performances the Future of Live Gigs?

    Posted on Nov 03, 2009 by Animal Nation

    one of the best concerts I've ever seen is Radiohead's "Scotch Mist" performance for their "In Rainbows" album.I love the fact that you get a much closer look at what's actually happening..It's weird, because it seems way less personal not being there, but the 12 cameras shooting the concert give you a much more in depth look at what's actually happening..

  33. boders
    33

    @TeamQuiggan

    Posted on Nov 03, 2009 by boders

    I agree; zombie concert watches are poopie pants. Nothing beats leaving a show dog tired and sweaty as hell cause you've been givin er cuz the band was givin er...Japandroids at the rickshaw theatre this summer was awesome for that..if anyone left that show disappointed something is seriously wrong with them..

  34. MoniSki
    34

    re: Today on Lanarama: Techie Tuesday! Are Online Concerts & Virtual World Performances the Future of Live Gigs?

    Posted on Nov 03, 2009 by MoniSki

    I enjoyed streaming the Polaris Gala on the web.

    And I would probably stream others shows, but only if I wasn't charged. I wouldn't be comfortable with that just yet, maybe in the future, but I'd probably pass on it.

     

    Also, I agree Lana, I thought Chad was a shoe in as well!  

  35. spartucusjones
    35

    re: Today on Lanarama: Techie Tuesday! Are Online Concerts & Virtual World Performances the Future of Live Gigs?

    Posted on Nov 03, 2009 by spartucusjones

    To me I would (and have streamed) because I am not in a position to attend, or I couldn't afford to attend. For me to pay to see a stream concert, it would have to be something fairly special (and I still haven't come across one that I am willing to pay for).

    But what I think would be cool is if a band that some kind of contest where they play in a really intimate setting like in a basement of a house, and only 20 contest winners are allowed to attend live. In a case like that individuals may consider paying for the live stream if it was the only opportunity to share in that experience (especially if there was a way to allow for online interaction such as requests).

  36. AlexOfAnders
    36

    @MoniSki & Lana

    Posted on Nov 03, 2009 by AlexOfAnders

    I also thought that Chad was a shoe in for this year's Polaris.

  37. Lana Gay
    37

    I know it's not foodie friday but...

    Posted on Nov 03, 2009 by Lana Gay

    Just read this blog, and thought it was hilarious that it brings the reference of todays show (foos online concert) back to bacon. 

    http://www.davefm.com/home/FunStuff/CarlosBenevidesBlog/tabid/831/id/23316/Default.aspx

  38. CDNz1
    38

    re: Today on Lanarama: Techie Tuesday! Are Online Concerts & Virtual World Performances the Future of Live Gigs?

    Posted on Nov 03, 2009 by CDNz1

    While everybody agrees that LIVE is best, there have been a few situations recently that prevented me from attending shows.  Only a few weeks ago, STW & Hannah Georges played the Phog Lounge.  I got home late but caught STW streaming, the video was really not bad but the sound was FANTASTIC !  I forget the name of the carrier that Tom used but it was CBC quality live sound.  I was stunned.   Not sure if I'd pay more than a few bucks for another one,  I guess it would depend on the act.

  39. MoniSki
    39

    @ Alex

    Posted on Nov 03, 2009 by MoniSki

    I suppose he'll just have to be a shoe-in in our hearts :) That's better than money right? 

  40. CDNz1
    40

    Not unlike the Bat Signal, I sensed the Bacon Signal...

    Posted on Nov 03, 2009 by CDNz1

    As the leading candidate for the Foodie Friday Minister of Bacon post, I am compelled to repost Lana's link.

  41. pink oranges
    41

    re: Today on Lanarama: Techie Tuesday! Are Online Concerts & Virtual World Performances the Future of Live Gigs?

    Posted on Nov 03, 2009 by pink oranges

    i think the thrill comes from seeying the band live

  42. AlexOfAnders
    42

    @MoniSki

    Posted on Nov 03, 2009 by AlexOfAnders

    So poetically true

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