the rise of music and technology during the global pandemic

The Rise of Music & Technology During the Global Pandemic

We are facing a stark loss of control amidst the coronavirus pandemic and music provides a means to regain some kind of control. It is a common power bringing people together, acting as a temporary escape from the outside world.

From citizens chanting and playing instruments from their balconies, to live streams and virtual raves, communities around the world have turned to music as a coping mechanism. It is a universal language which speaks in emotions, which in turn creates a sense of belonging and participation.

Technology used to be considered the root cause of social distancing, or to go even further, a barrier to the emergence of deep, meaningful connections. However, in today’s global coronavirus pandemic, a new form of digital socializing is emerging, bringing us together like never before.

Whether it’s virtual raves, live streams, concerts, birthday parties, dinner parties, poker games… Coronavirus is showing us how to live online, making people more connected than ever. It is humanity using technology to find collective and creative solutions in response to the crisis, creating a bridge across physical distances.

There are a myriad of digital platforms where people can gather together and rave… remotely. You can decide whether you want the full experience via Zoom, allowing for social gatherings with more than 5000+ guests or a more intimate setting via house party that only allows up to eight guests. Bandsintown also launched its live streaming show on its latest Twitch channel, Bandsintown Live, with a performance from Black Coffee followed by a live-stream release of Nicolas Jaar’s latest album.

Here is a compilation of a curated list of livestreams, virtual raves and festivals as well as mixtape releases to keep your spirits lifted and your souls grooving. Make sure to check out our weekly schedules to keep up to date with what’s going on.

Weekly Live Streams

Boiler Room has launched a new live series “Streaming from Isolation” streaming direct from artists’ homes. Each show will include a donate button, giving you the opportunity to donate to a different charity.
linkin.bio/boilerroomtv

– Brooklyn-based club Nowadays now hosts “Virtually Nowadays,” every nightly live stream from Nowadays that runs between 8pm and midnight. It features DJ sets, gear tutorials and discussions on topics relevant to our world.
www.nowadays.nyc/stream

the rise of music and technology during the global pandemic UNITED WE STREAM

– Berlin’s iconic underground clubs have come together to launch a digital club called United We Stream. The live-streams take place every day from 7pm and the venue changes accordingly, with participating clubs such as Kater Blau, Tresor, Watergate and many more…
https://en.unitedwestream.berlin/

– Ibiza club Ushuaia hosts its #StayatHomeSessions with live-streams by Carl Cox, Camelphat, Nic Fanciulli and more… The live-streams help raise funds for the World Health Organization COVID-19 Support Fund.
www.facebook.com/watch/?v=943344492765091

– WooMooN Ibiza hosts #LOVEYOU, a week-long schedule of live-stream sessions of its resident musicians and DJs such as Oliver Koletzki, Luciano, Chloe Caillet… It also includes sound healing, movement and yoga sessions, as well as eco-talks, vegan cooking, dance, art, painting and creativity workshops.
www.instagram.com/love_you_land/

– ICBRKR hosts the Sunday Zoom Rehab Pool Party
– Many artists are also hosting their own live-streams on Instagram such as BLOND:ISH, Black Coffee, Jamie Jones, Carlita, Old City, Salomé Le Chat…

the rise of music and technology during the global pandemic club

Virtual Festivals

– The Gardens of Babylon presents the Free Online Global Isolation Party. It held a virtual festival last week and more than 900 people attended. Make sure to tune into the second edition taking place on Saturday April 4th at 5pm CET on Zoom with sets by BLOND:ISH, Chaim, Holmar, DJ Isaiah Martin and more.
www.facebook.com/events/1632456483558916/

Burning Man camp Tierra Bomba held a 12 hours non-stop live-stream virtual fundraiser where donations were made via venmo. The last one was this Saturday April 4th at 1pm EST on Zoom with sets by Alonso Rivero, Coletrickle, Chocokhan, Eli, Manumat, Mateo, Newton, Pony, Son of a Son and Urbina.
www.instagram.com/tierra.bomba/

Beatport held a 34-hour virtual event, ReConnect, featuring DJ sets from the likes of Carl Cox, Bonobo, BLOND:ISH, Nora En Pure… It raised more than $180,000 for the World Health Organization’s COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund and Association For Electronic Music’s COVID-19 Hardship Fund.

– Record label Defected held its Defected Virtual Festival, with more than 1.5 million people tuning in. The first one lasted 12 hours with sets from Monki, Dan Shake and more streamed live from London’s Ministry Of Sound via YouTube and Facebook Live. The second one lasted six hours with sets from Folamour, Karizma, Melé and Riva Starr and more.

Envision Festival held a 3-day virtual rave in which “Jungle Meets Online Festival.” It consisted of live DJ performances as pre-party guided meditation and yoga sessions to put you in the right mindset.

Album and mixtape releases
– Seth Troxler released a 300hour mixtape compiling more than 150 mixes with 36 unreleased ones. The mega-playlist was uploaded on SoundCloud and goes all the way back to 2007 with his first set at the iconic Movement Detroit. It also includes back to back mixes with Seth Troxler, Laurent Garnier, Ricardo Villalobos and Vision Quest.
www.soundcloud.com/sethtroxler/sets/mix-archive

Nicolas Jaar released a live-stream of his latest album “Cenizas” on his Twitch channel.
www.twitch.tv/againsta111ogic/clip/BlatantPerfectYakTBTacoRight

Written by Guest Contributor Jade Alexander.




EXPLORE DEEPER