Lights Beyond the Stage

Bridget Filipe

Kirsten Kaschock  

English 101-009

12/5/14

Lights Beyond the Stage

Summary:

From beyond the band, the equipment and the stage, the three of us admired the crowd, that was glowing from a thousand phone lights, waiting for the next live performance. That had been there countless times before, packed in between so many people, yet still so unbelievably happy to be there. Today was different. I had won a backstage ticket from an online contest, and was now anxiously waiting for the show to start. To my left was Meg Carter and to my right was Tina Wells, both journalists that have written on the effect of technology and digital media on music, and specifically live music. As a topic that I was, and had been, interested in for quite some time, I knew I had to talk to them. I tried to plan what to say, so I would sound like I knew what I was talking about, but wasn’t too overly eager to scare them off. “Well”, I thought, “here goes nothing”.

Cast:

Meg Carter, a writer for New Age Magazine, a british magazine about the use of interactive media in the United Kingdom. (Carter)

Tina Wells, a writer from Billboard, a music magazine based in the United States. (Wells)

Bridget Filipe, a college student, music enthusiast and avid concert goer. 

Bridget: “Live concerts have changed so much after all of this new technology and digital media. I mean the phones in the crowd alone show how much things have changed. It’s always been a big part of the experience of when I go to shows because i’m always trying to get as many pictures as possible. I’m starting to wonder if it’s really the best way to do it though. (Bridget pauses for a moment) I’m Bridget by the way, it’s nice to meet you” (Filipe). 

Meg: “Hello, I’m Meg Carter. I’m a writer for New Age Magazine and I actually just wrote and article about how ‘the whole experience of live music, from getting information to buying tickets and even re-watching the concert afterwards’, even from phones like you mentioned, ‘has been revolutionized by digital media’” (Carter). 

Bridget: “Oh that’s fascinating! I’ve thought about it a lot in the past couple of years. Without digital media, and even the Internet, the music industry would be so different. It’s become such a huge part of day to day life” (Filipe).Tina: “Sorry to bud in, but I have also done a lot of research on this topic, specifically focusing on teens, and I’m curious as to what your opinions are. It’s not surprising that you say technology has become a big part of your life. ‘The evolution of the Internet and digital age has irreversibly affected nearly all aspects of teen life, from fashion and style to culture in general.  But music may have undergone the most drastic change because of advances in media technology. For the first time, an entire generation has been well-versed in the workings of Internet downloading and peer-to-peer file sharing’” (Wells). 

Bridget: “I personally can’t imagine my life without it. Not only is a great resource, but it also is a way to stay connected. I learn about so many concerts from social media like Twitter or even apps like Song-kick that are made to have upcoming touring schedules in one spot. It does keep me updated on culture too. I check my Twitter, Buzzfeed, Facebook and Instagram news feeds more than I’d like to admit”, (Filipe).

Meg: “You’re not alone ‘Social networking is tipped by many as the next big thing in live music information portals’” (Carter).

Tina: “‘Social networking is definitely a new development that has changed so many aspects of lives, for teens especially. It’s ‘a hybrid product of a teen's need to socialize and the Internet's instant connectivity’” (Wells).

Meg: “You know, ‘historically, live music was an offline event promoted via flyers, ticketed on paper and the gig itself captured on tape. Digital medias have reshaped the live music business, with aggregators revolutionising how fans’ (Carter glances over at Bridget) people a lot like yourself it seems, ‘find out about events. The next wave of digital-driven innovation in live music is expected to be social: recommending events and sharing music-related content” (Carter).

 Tina: “‘And more and more, market leaders in entertainment and media are learning that today's youth demands convenience and customization when it comes to their music and lifestyle choices. Teens love options’. Bridget, I’m interested in what you think about the constant new developments in media ” (Wells).

Bridget “Well that’s definitely true that teens love option. I believe that we are always going to want something else, the next best greatest thing in the market. Whether it’s the new iPhone or a brand new social media site, for the most part, teens will always be on top of it” (Filipe).  

(All three pause to look back at the crowd. The audience is still using their phones to capture every moment of the show and share them online.)

Tina: “‘While most of today's digitally spoiled teens likely fail to realize the true convenience of having all their music on one portable device, they are surely captivated by the customization possibilities the iPod’, or iPhone’ offers” (Wells). Meg: “Phones ‘really have transformed the festival-going experience, with a host of text-to-big-screen applications for promotions and competitions’ the ones where the whole audience can see someones texts on stage for a couple of seconds, ‘and mobile apps from bands, promoters and sponsors. The essence of this approach has already been demonstrated at The O2, where fans enjoy free, added-value live music-related mobile and online content. Screens at the venue enable fans to create content to upload onto mobile or social network profile pages” (Carter). 

Tina: “Never before has Internet access been so widespread. Never before has communication been more instantaneous. And never before have personally controlled Internet pages been more possible than with the advent of sites like MySpace (or Twitter). Social networking sites present a new standard in complete personal customization” (Wells).

Bridget: “It’s now so easy have a completely personal page where you can share common interests, passions for music or even interest in a certain band in particular. I use Tumblr as a site to reblog pictures of concerts I’ve been to, or even of band that I like, as a way to remember and share my experiences. I think websites like these are great ways for bands to interact with fans or even to just get their name out there” (Filipe). 

Meg: “For proactive artists, digital enables greater one-to-one interaction with fans. The live music business is clearly hungry for the opportunities digital platforms provide, even if their readiness to embrace them in current economic conditions remains uncertain. ‘Digital channels enable artists to get a lot closer to their fans in a way that’s impossible using traditional media alone. It has become a core need for artists to promote themselves effectively through digital channels. Some get it, many don’t.’ says Jeremy Phillips, co-founder and COO of digital business’” (Carter). 

Bridget: “I believe that if bands take the time to try to make connections with fans on a one-on-one, or even just a more personal level, it will create a greater connection between artist and fan which will, as a result, make the fans more dedicated and more likely to see live shows” (Filipe). 

Tina: “ …you can never learn more about youth (or a fan) than by simply taking time to immerse yourself in their world” (Wells). 

(The lights on stage briefly shut off and then are replaced by many bright colorful rays. A single strum of a guitar plays. The crowd rushes forward and the band starts to play.)

Works Cited:

Carter, Meg. "VERTICAL FOCUS LIVE MUSIC: Let's Rock." New Media Age, 25 June 2009. Web. 9 November 2014.

Wells, Tina. "What Teens Want." Billboard, 21 October 2006. Web. 9 November 2014.