MAMMA MIA! ABBA Voyage is a journey into the future of live music and it’s incredible

June 3, 2022June 3, 2022 ~ nataliehannan ~ Leave a comment

If there’s one thing you need to take a chance on, it’s ABBA’s new futuristic live music experience ‘ABBA Voyage‘. The four ABBA members we know, and love have reunited on stage after 40 years, only they’ve taken another form… the digital form.

Performing virtually, their avatars, or ‘ABBAtars’ debuted the Voyage concert experience on May 26 2022, in London, England. The Voyage won’t be setting off across the country, or the world, just yet. However, the group constructed a specially built arena to host the cutting-edge technology needed to put on such a futuristic live music experience and in the future, has the capabilities of being transported to other cities.

Whilst Björn, Benny, Agnetha, and Anni-Frid (Frida) all take to the stage as ABBAtars, the virtual group is supported by a real 10-piece band that performs live during every concert. The 20-song set-list features fan-favourites ‘Dancing Queen’, ‘Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man after Midnight)’ and ‘Mamma Mia’, which are quick to turn any arena into a venue filled with dancing fans.

Voyage signifies a momentous occasion for live music lovers, and ABBA fans. The reunion of the band in virtual form allows generations of fans to witness the band live in a spectacle which the BBC says “needs to be seen to be believed”.

Samuel McManus-Maxwell, 26, is a passionate ABBA fan from the UK and eagerly travelled to London to join the Voyage, revealing that it was the best thing he had ever seen.

“I don’t know how they do it, but I also kind of don’t want to know, you know?” Samuel said. “I found myself trying to look for things that would give it away but then realised it would just ruin the magic.”

Samuel was enthralled by how immersive ABBA’s set was, noting the lights and mirrors that moved on the ceiling, and multiple costume changes for the ABBAtars that made the production feel reminiscent of the concert experiences we’re accustomed to.

“There were moments when I was clapping and cheering and then was like ‘there’s nothing actually there, I am cheering nothing’ which was a bit weird, but the crowd was living their best life,” Samuel said. “I heard someone saying they waved at Frida expecting her to wave back, it feels that real. It was as real as any concert I’ve been to.”

This was the goal for ABBA and the incredible creative team behind Voyage.

As explained by Björn and Benny when speaking to the BBC One Show, motion-capture technology was used to digitally project ABBA, who performed the songs themselves on a sound stage whilst being filmed wearing “leotards with dots on them” – aka, motion-capture leotards.

Director Baillie Walsh and choreographer Wayne McGregor spoke to NME about the motion-capture process and digital technology utilised.

“We filmed ABBA for five years,” Walsh told NME, noting that the ABBAtars are more than holograms. “Wayne McGregor extended their moves into younger bodies, our doubles, and we blended those performances together. Now we have our 2022 ABBA.”

When asked to explain the evolution from motion-capture leotards to ABBAtars, McGregor told NME that “we use these little dots to take the maths out your body. We take all these zeroes and ones and put them into a computer and build an avatar.” Noting the lengthy process, McGregor spoke of how the process had to be repeated with the younger body doubles, telling NME that they captured the essence of ABBA and then had to “transform some of that amazing physical from the 70s into maths and find a way of combining the two.”

Speaking to NME, producer Svana Gisla teased why ABBA’s Voyage experience is incredibly unique and more than a concert… an experience.

“The feeling of being inside the arena will be unique, it’s very immersive,” Gisla told NME. “People use that word a lot, but when you go in there, you’ll fully realise the capabilities of an immersive environment. It’s like being in the eye of the storm.”

Samuel agreed after joining the Voyage and seeing ABBA in all their motion-captured, digital glory.

“You forget that you’re in an arena, you almost become part of ABBA’s world,” Samuel said. “You are in a completely different space.”

For the duration of some songs, the ABBAtars take a break and are instead displayed as screen visuals, one factor that Samuel said was a little disappointing, especially during performances of their biggest hits.

However, Samuel couldn’t speak more highly of the ABBA Voyage experience. After all, concerts aren’t only about the performances of songs we all know and love to dance to. There’s more to the experience…

Highlighting this fact, the ABBAtars speak throughout the set, engaging with the audience. Björn, Benny, Agnetha, and Frida each deliver a solo speech, and even some jokes! It’s an element of live music many may overlook… the quieter in-between moments where the artist on stage speaks to the crowd. However, those moments add to the concert experience, leaving the audience with even more personal memories to hold onto. ABBA Voyage has it all, and the proof lies in the creators knowing that audience interaction would make the digital experience even more realistic.

David Smyth, writer for the UK’s Evening Standard reviewed ABBA Voyage, noting that he had once attended Whitney Houston’s hologram tour. His review of live music’s latest Voyage into the future compares the difference between the past use of hologram technology, revealing that ABBA’s live music experience “was galaxies ahead of anything similar” and worthy of a five star rating.

“With every new technological discovery, one might wonder if the limits have yet been reached,” Alina Vietoris writes. “Mostly, the answer is no. In the case of hologram performances, it seems like the fun has only just begun.”

Hologram technology has been utilised in the past, including short performances from the late Tupac, Whitney Houston and Michael Jackson. ABBA Voyage differs, using motion-capture technology. The difference comes with the blessing of all ABBA members being alive, and involved.

Walsh told NME that Voyage may not be simple to copy, saying that “ABBA were so involved in this, they’re the heart and soul of it. A posthumous show wouldn’t have the same kind of feeling. The fans know that ABBA are involved. This is ABBA.”

When asked about the future of Voyage, and how long the live music experience could run, all involved hope Voyage will be a destination for a long time, and Gisla told NME there are plans in place for the future of ABBA.

“If this is a success, then we could be here for a few years,” Gisla revealed to NME, also stating that the arena is moveable. Seems like future voyages could be possible…

Voyage proves that ABBA will be around for a long time, long after they’re capable of performing themselves. The future of live music is vast when factoring in the motion-capture and digital technology that continues to evolve. As ABBA and their ABBAtars take audiences on a mesmerising Voyage, there’s no doubt in my mind that in the coming years live music fans will witness even more reunions, comebacks, and ground-breaking performances from artists they never imagined they’d be able to see live.

Harry’s House is the place to be – why Harry Styles is the future of live music

May 31, 2022 ~ nataliehannan ~ Leave a comment

Some say Harry Styles is a sign of the times, but Harry is the future and we’re all lucky to be witnessing it.

I’ve been fortunate enough to see Harry live multiple times – both with One Direction and as a solo-artist – but what impresses me the most are the ways in which Harry manages to stay authentic whilst pushing the boundaries of live music.

The British singer’s latest album ‘Harry’s House’ has skyrocketed to #1 in over 60 countries and the live performances of his new songs have gone viral on social media. Fans have been braving Ticketmaster queues to get a glimpse of Harry on stage, and those that were lucky enough to score tickets were treated to one of the most memorable experiences.

Harry Styles has been championing an innovative live music format which I believe, in the future, will become the norm for many other musicians. Upon the release of Harry’s two most recent albums – ‘Fine Line’ and ‘Harry’s House’ – the singer announced “One Night Only” shows in select locations (Los Angeles, New York, and London) with tickets costing approx. $25 and promising fans a performance of the new album from top to bottom. Every song on the album… performed live… for the first and realistically, the last time.

When artists tour, it’s common for setlists to be compiled of their most successful hits with a couple of album deep-cuts scattered in between. With Harry allowing fans to hear the new album in its entirety, the experience becomes more valuable than you can imagine. During the concert, Harry spoke of how much he adored this live music format and ability for him to perform his albums in “the way it was intended, from start to finish.”

‘Harry Styles: One Night Only’ in New York occurred on the release day of ‘Harry’s House’ and left the singer speechless, as fans in attendance already knew the words to the new songs, memorising them in under 24 hours. When in London a week later, fans sang the lyrics even louder, to Harry’s amazement. It was beautiful to witness the awe on Harry’s face, and joy evident amongst the crowd.

In the age of livestreams, an in-demand concert like Harry’s becomes prime opportunity for a global viewing party. Whilst many Harry Styles fans have often taken it upon themselves to livestream his shows themselves on Twitter or Instagram, Apple Music recently jumped on the bandwagon. For the first time, Harry’s ‘One Night Only’ in New York concert was livestreamed with an official broadcaster, available on the Apple Music platform live, and for additional screenings in the following days.

The demand of this livestream was notable, as fans livestreamed the Apple Music livestream for those who aren’t Apple Music subscribers. Fans used Twitter and Twitch to achieve this, ensuring that no Harry Styles fan missed out on the experience.

Harry Styles creates a safe space for fans to express themselves, whether they’re physically in attendance at a show or watching live from the comfort of their bed. Becoming famous for delivering a heartfelt speech each show, Harry always says, “feel free to be whoever you want to be” and advocates for the LGBTQI+ community, as well as the Black Lives Matter movement – waving flags supporting the causes on stage at every show. His song “Treat People with Kindness” is the motto, branded on merchandise and preached from the beginning of his solo career. The love and support that radiates from Harry shines brightly back at him from the crowd, with an undeniable understanding existing between the singer and his fanbase.

With the future in mind, Harry Styles is also an advocate for charity, climate change and gun control.

In the bid to end gun violence, Harry recently pledged a $1 million donation from ticket sales for his upcoming, sold-out ‘Love on Tour 2022’ US tour to Everytown. The organisation works to achieve gun safety and the end of gun-related violence. Despite this action being prompted by the devastating mass-shootings occurring in America recently, Harry has always been passionate about the cause, displaying an “end gun violence” sticker on his guitar while performing in 2018.

Supporting charities and organisations isn’t new for Harry, who also raised $1.2 million on his 2018 tour, donating funds to local charities along every leg of his worldwide tour.

Harry also aims to create tours that are sustainable, conscious of the impacts of climate change. Partnering with REVERB, ‘Love on Tour’ featured an “Action Village” that enabled fans to ‘join Harry in working toward a better future for our planet and communities around the world.’ Reusable bottles with free water refill stations were promoted to avoid single-use plastics – an effort in place for fans, crew, and Harry. The tour prioritised waste reduction, waste diversion and carbon elimination and REVERBS’s impact report details the positive impact this climate-focused tour had.

World tours that focus on climate change and sustainability will become more prevalent over the next five years, with artists such as Billie Eilish, Coldplay and Shawn Mendes already following in Harry’s footsteps. Live music has always been a place to raise awareness, and funds, for communities that suffer the consequence of climate disasters and devastating incidents. Benefit concerts, from Live Aid (1985) to FireFight (2020) prove that fundraising initiatives based around live-music events positively impact the world we live in. When broadcast globally awareness is spread, as is the opportunity for international viewers to donate and support communities that so desperately need help.

The spirit of these one-off events is honoured in Harry Styles’ tours and can be felt every time a fan buys a ticket to his shows. It can be felt every time Harry takes to the stage.

Harry Styles is the future. There is no doubt about it. Over the next five years, more artists will follow in his footsteps, creating tours that are safe spaces for fans, sustainable and focused on the future. Charity organisations promoting important causes will be highlighted more in the live music scene, encouraging donations and awareness that promotes further action. The live-music scene will also benefit from “One Night Only” style concerns that celebrate music for what it is, a magical art form that unites people all over the world. Having the opportunity to listen to your favourite album performed live, from beginning to end, will re-define what it means for an artist to release an album.

Harry Styles will be at the forefront of future live music changes and the world will be a better place for it.

@dualipa has always been the one 👑 it's been so special to see you blossom as the superstar you are 💫 from a room of a few hundred in Newtown Social Club, to a sold out arena last night in Sydney. I love you, your music, and can't wait to see you live again soon! 💖💖💖 #DuaLipa #FutureNostalgia #FutureNostalgiaTour #BeTheOne

Harry Styles is the future of live music and Harry's House is the place to be 💫

I'm constantly in awe of @bts.bighitofficial - their talent and ability to unite fans globally 🧡💫

Can't believe it's been 4 years since I last saw @harrystyles live in Sydney and captured these videos on my camera 😍

ARE YOU READY TO BE HAPPIER THAN EVER!? 😍🔥

ARE YOU READY FOR HARRYCHELLA ROUND 2!? 😍🔥

COUCHELLA - when you're not physically in the desert, so you enjoy Coachella via livestream from the comfort of your couch 🎉💃

BTS: Permission to Dance on Stage – Seoul Livestream

May 4, 2022 ~ nataliehannan ~ Leave a comment

There’s no denying that BTS have captured the hearts of millions of ARMY around the world.

I’m happy to report that BTS gained another fan after I tuned in to their BTS: Permission to Dance on Stage – Seoul livestream. The K-pop group features seven superstars – Jungkook, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, RM, Jin and V – who all were incredibly eager to return to the stage and create a euphoric atmosphere for ARMY.

In March, BTS performed at Olympic Stadium in Seoul, South Korea over the course of three dates. Due to COVID-19 restrictions in Seoul, the capacity was restricted to 15, 000 masked, and silent, fans per night. No screaming or singing was allowed. It sounds like a dull event; however, the stadium shows were in high demand and naturally, sold out. Multiple livestream times (to cater to international time-zones) and multiple viewings were available to fans online, as well as one-night-only screenings in over 3000 cinemas around the world.

Fortunately, I was able to watch the livestream rebroadcast the following week.
(Biggest thank you to my amazing friend, and Lovers of Live follower, Jackie!)

The online stream experience was flawless – no connection issues, no loss of quality. English subtitles were available for fans, and the pre-show entertainment consisted of BTS music videos, sponsorships and even segments dedicated to raising awareness for climate change. The chat feature within the livestream enabled fans to engage with each other before, during and after the livestream, making us all feel united despite the distance. Another feature, which I’ve never witnessed in a livestream, was the “clapping” feature – a button which could be clicked and signified that as a fan, you were clapping along with the show. This button had over 11 million clicks by the end of the 3-hour event, only adding to the excitement of the experience.

Another factor that made the BTS livestream so different to others I’d witnessed during the pandemic, was the FULL stage production. With the event being held in a stadium, there was no holding back. The 20+ song set featured multiple costume changes, fireworks, pyro, confetti, state of the art screens, mesmerising lighting effects, a full band, and a troupe of dancers accompanying BTS. BTS themselves were on their finest form sounding as smooth as ever and dancing as sharp as ever.

The cinematography of the livestream was actually insane. It managed to capture the scale of the stage and stadium (including crowd shots), yet the stream felt intimate as viewers were treated to close-ups and selfie-angles of their favourite BTS members. Watching the livestream on my laptop gave me goose bumps, so I can’t even imagine how impressive it would have been to witness live within the stadium, or on a large cinema screen. The production level was next-level and very reminiscent of a movie.

In this sense, the BTS livestream reminded me of concert tour DVDS – only instead of them being filmed, edited, and distributed months after the event, livestreams are immediate.

Over the past five years, livestreams have become far more inclusive and authentic, creating experiences for fans that feel reminiscent of the culture experienced and concerts and festivals.

They’re also a great business move. The BTS online livestream ticket cost approx. $65 AUD, the cinema ticket approx. $40 AUD. That’s not including the 45, 000 tickets sold to fans who attended the concert physically in Olympic Stadium, Seoul. Via cinema ticket sales alone, BTS’ one-night-only broadcast raked in over $32 million at the Global Box Office!

With BTS proving that livestreams being screened in cinema entices fans to experience live music this way, the future of streaming is looking brighter than ever.

Over the next five years, I would not be surprised to see more BTS events being held in the same manner. I also believe other artists will follow suite.

In cinemas, fans are somewhat restricted by the seating arrangements – like a seated concert. For this reason, I also believe it would be incredible if during the next five years, such livestream events are held in live music venues – allowing space for a dancefloor and a screen to be broadcasting the livestream in question. This would only enhance the experience for fans, as crowds would mirror that of a concert, the sound system would be just as impressive and the livestream would be even more memorable and electric.

Venues, such as Oxford Art Factory in Sydney, Australia, regularly hold “On-Repeat” or themed club nights that see DJs playing specific genres or artists to a club-crowd that is eager to dance and see videos of their favourite artists being played on the stage screen. This is what inspired my prediction for future livestreams. If club nights like these are successful (and I’ve been to many, they’re so much fun) then I believe that the future of livestreams will become even more like concerts. Fans will have access to their favourite artists and bands, even when they’re performing live on a stage on the other side of the world – and the best part? They’ll be able to experience the livestream set surrounded by other fans, unified, excited, and ready to dance through every song streamed.

Livestreams have been the main tool utilised to satisfy the quench for live music throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Many artists resorted to performing live from their home or an empty studio, feeling the absence of a crowd due to safety. BTS spoke of this experience on stage, repeatedly saying that they missed ARMY and were thankful to be performing to them in-person again, overcoming restrictions, because their absence made performances feel awkward and lonely. BTS said they felt like they’d returned home, and the meaning of this was not lost on viewers, as the experience felt historic.

It’s not only fans that are grateful for COVID-safe concerts, evidently artists are as well.

BTS proved to me they care about their fans, not just in terms of their music and performance value, but also their safety. COVID-19 has wreaked havoc across the world, and despite live music very much being back in action, there remains risk in contracting the virus at large scale events. All fans attending the outdoor, stadium concert in Seoul were required to wear masks, were repeatedly told not to scream, or sing, and instead, were given “clappers” to make as much noise as possible.

Although the livestream was dubbed with an audience screaming (much like the laugh tracks you hear in sitcoms), the sound of the clappers strangely felt just as thrilling as audience screams. It reminded you that BTS fans were in attendance and were excited. After experiencing the loss of live music, the absence of BTS on stage, the gratitude expressed and felt at concerts now is euphoric.

This format for a concert is noteworthy, as it proved that despite COVID-19 still being a concern, there are ways for live music events to go ahead in a COVID-safe manner. It’s almost reassuring in a way, knowing that if the next five years are turbulent due to the pandemic, live music can still exist in some form.

All you need are masks, clappers, and a crowd as passionate as BTS fans…oh and don’t forget the livestreams!

YEEHAW! STAGECOACH 2022 IS NOW LIVESTREAMING ON YOUTUBE

April 30, 2022 ~ nataliehannan ~ Leave a comment

Feeling the post-festival blues after back-to-back Coachella weekends?

Well, giddy up, because country music lovers are being treated to livestreams from Stagecoach all weekend long!

Making history, the 2022 edition of California’s country music festival is the first to receive the livestream treatment – and I have a feeling it won’t be the last!

Over the next three days, YouTube will be streaming live sets from the likes of Carrie Underwood, Thomas Rhett, Maren Morris, Luke Combs, Orville Peck, Diplo and more.

To see these incredible artists perform in the desert, tune into the stream embedded below:

The description of the livestream video has the full line-up listed, as well as the set times for each performance.

Remember, be sure to convert set times into your local time zone, otherwise you could find yourself missing your favourite act! The livestream channel descriptions have updated set times (PT time) when experiencing delays.

COUCHELLA RETURNS – HOW TO JOIN THE ACTION FROM COACHELLA 2022 WEEKEND 2

April 23, 2022April 25, 2022 ~ nataliehannan ~ Leave a comment

Are you ready to experience Coachella all over again?

Weekend 2 has kicked off and to prove that Coachella 2022 is bigger and better than ever, YouTube has extra access to all the best performances and is treating fans to an extra weekend of livestreams!

And you know what? I guarantee you’ll have the best seat in the house…
That’s why I call it Couchella – enjoying all the action of Coachella, from the comfort of your couch!

While majority of the acts on the line up will be featured in “Coachella Curated” and “Bonus Sets” – highlights reels from Weekend 2 of the festival – there are plenty of full performances that will be livestreamed, including the main headliners, of course!

Over the course of the weekend you can catch entire Weekend 2 sets from Harry Styles, Billie Eilish, The Weeknd, Swedish House Mafia, Doja Cat, Anitta and plenty more acts performing on the biggest stages in the desert.

Coachella is streaming performances and highlights live across 3 YouTube channels, giving you the choice of multiple stages to float between. Below I’ll embed the 3 YouTube channels you need to be all over. The set times for each performance can be found in the YouTube channel descriptions.

Channel 1 features the full sets from headliners, so if you’re desperate to see Harry, Billie, Doja Cat and The Weeknd + Swedish House Mafia, keep Channel 1 open!

Remember, be sure to convert set times into your local time zone, otherwise you could find yourself missing your favourite act! The livestream channel descriptions have updated set times (PT time) when experiencing delays.
Last weekend there was an approx. half hour delay.

Couchella 2022 – Day 3 of Coachella is calling, one last time

April 18, 2022April 18, 2022 ~ nataliehannan ~ Leave a comment

The final moments of a multi-day festival are always bittersweet. Part of you is exhausted, simply wanting a comfortable bed for a long night’s sleep, and yet another part of you never wants the euphoria from the experience to end.

If you’re not in the Palm Springs desert for Coachella 2022, you’re in luck, because you can get the best of both worlds and enjoy the final festival day from bed, or the couch…

And that’s why I call it Couchella – enjoying all the magic of Coachella, from the comfort of your couch!

In some ways Coachella has saved the best for last, with Day 3 promising to make history as Swedish House Mafia will be reuniting on stage with The Weeknd for a powerhouse conclusion to the festival. If that’s not enough to get you pumped, you’ll also be treated to incredible performances from Doja Cat, Finneas, Maggie Rogers, Kim Petras, Maneskin, Joji, Fred Again, Duke Dumont and Denzel Curry.

Coachella is streaming these performances and plenty more live across 3 YouTube channels, giving you the choice of 3 stages to float between. Below I’ll embed the 3 YouTube channels you need to be all over, as well as the set times Coachella has released for the Sunday sets.

Remember, be sure to convert set times into your local time zone, otherwise you could find yourself missing your favourite act! The livestream channel descriptions have updated set times (PT time) when experiencing delays.
If you find yourself busy when your favourite act is performing, the YouTube channel also rebroadcasts the livestream.

Enjoy the final day of Coachella, and I hope Weekend One of this iconic music festival has been just as impressive for you, as it has been for me!

Seriously, I don’t think I’ll ever get over Harry Styles performing with Shania Twain!

Couchella Continues – I’m ready for day two, are you?

April 17, 2022 ~ nataliehannan ~ Leave a comment

How’s everyone feeling? Feet sore? Head pounding?

Despite my engagement with Coachella being from sunny, Australia and not the Californian desert, I have to admit that “Couchella” wasn’t all that accurately describing the experience yesterday. As always, we found ourselves dancing non-stop, especially to Louis the Child, Carly Rae Jepsen, and Harry Styles’ (AND SHANIA TWAIN!) Coachella sets.

And yet that’s the joy of livestreams, you can enjoy them on your laptop in bed, on your phone as go about your day, or like myself, you can broadcast the stream on a giant screen and make the event a party like no other!

Coachella 2022 sure is making up for the two years the world went without the iconic, Palm Springs music festival.
Day 1 saw enormous crowds flocking to stages to see the likes of Harry Styles (AND SHANIA TWAIN!) performing to hundreds of thousands in the desert…. and don’t even get me started on how many international fans would’ve been tuning in via livestream.

Now would probably be a good time for me to profess my undying love and gratitude for Coachella and YouTube, for making high quality livestreams available for everyone to enjoy the festival as if they were front row.

So, who’s ready for Day 2!?
I’ve got a feeling we’re going to be happier than ever by the time the sun sets…

We’re gearing up for more good times as Billie Eilish, Megan Thee Stallion, Flume, Disclosure, Wallows, Conan Gray, BROCKHAMPTON, Koffee, girl in red, Rina Sawayama, Caroline Polachek and more take to the stage (and livestreams).

I wish I was able to catch Holly Humberstone and Arlo Parks’ sets, but Coachella unfortunately isn’t airing them.

Coachella is streaming performances live across 3 YouTube channels, giving you the choice of 3 stages to float between. Below I’ll embed the 3 YouTube channels you need to be all over, as well as the set times Coachella has released for Saturdays sets.

COUCHELLA 2022 – THE COACHELLA WEEKEND BEGINS

April 16, 2022 ~ nataliehannan ~ Leave a comment

If you can’t already tell from my previous Lovers of Live content, I love live music and having the ability to watch international concerts and festivals via livestreams. This weekend, my plans entail just that, because Coachella 2022 has officially kicked off and YouTube is giving us front row access to all the best performers at the festival!

I call it Couchella – enjoying all the action of Coachella, from the comfort of your couch!

Weekend 1 (15 – 17th April) is officially underway, which is the main livestream event. During these dates, Coachella will be streaming performances live across 3 YouTube channels, giving you the choice of 3 stages to float between. Weekend Two (22 – 24th April) will also feature a YouTube livestream, however it seems the content will differ, showing highlights and features as opposed to the live performances happening at that very moment in the desert.

You know what that means? If you want to catch your favourite artist live, STREAM THIS WEEKEND!

Starting with Day 1, I’m beyond excited to see performances from Harry Styles, Lane 8, Louis the Child, Phoebe Bridgers, The Avalanches, Anitta, Carly Rae Jepsen, The Regrettes…and so many more! One perk of livestreams is the fact that I won’t need to run between stages to catch acts that clash…I can simply switch tabs!

Below I’ll embed the 3 YouTube channels you need to be all over, as well as the set times Coachella has released for the 2022 Weekend 1 timetable.

Remember to factor in global time differences if you’re referring to the Coachella set times, as they’re in PT time!

Yungblud – Live at Alexandra Palace, London – Livestream

October 31, 2021October 31, 2021 ~ nataliehannan ~ Leave a comment

There’s a first time for everything, even in the world of livestreams. On October 3^rd, 2021, I watched Yungblud perform his biggest headline show at Alexandra Palace in London. What made this livestream experience so unique for me? It featured a full house. 10, 000 fans. A sold-out gig, with a roaring crowd filling every inch of the venue. Thousands of phones rising in the air to capture every moment as soon as the curtain dropped on stage. Goose-bump worthy after being in lockdown for months.

It’s a testament to the versatility of Moment House, who are becoming the frontier of pandemic related livestreams, and who previously hosted the Halsey and Client Liaison livestreams I’ve reviewed. Where those streams were run on a tight, seamless schedule – beginning right on the event start time – Yungblud’s livestream felt more reminiscent of live events, with the concert beginning 10 minutes after the advertised start time. The delay only added to the excitement.

Yungblud (Dominic Harrison) is a performer that has boundless energy. From the moment the curtain dropped he stormed on stage on a mission to entertain. The crowd was treated to high kicks, non-stop jumping and an expression of both anarchy and joy that was evident in every single move made. Harrison is a master of the stage, demanding attention, and the same energy he so eagerly gives the audience. It almost felt like Yungblud was the ringleader of a circle of misfits.

The 1.5-hour gig was a celebration of an impressive catalogue of music, and community. As someone who hasn’t had the pleasure of seeing Yungblud live in person (yet) I was in awe of the response of the fans filling the packed mosh pit. The fans screamed every lyric of every song back at Harrison – even his latest release “Fleabag” which had only been in their ears for a few weeks. The fans waved rainbow flags, raised their hands in heart shapes above their heads, formed a wall of death and chanted “F*#$ COVID” along with Harrison – both lead by him naturally. The anarchy was contagious.

This was complemented by electrifying production and pyro, with flames illuminating the stage and making the scale of the show feel larger than life. There was even a point where a piano was brought out on stage for Harrison to play and yep, you guessed it – it was surrounded by flames. It looked incredible.

The sense of community and gratitude that arose from the livestream is memorable. Amongst multiple costume changes, Yungblud wore a red jumpsuit with the words “the future is bright cause we are in it” printed across the back. On the venue screens, bright neon red signs flashed in time with performances reading “look around yourselves, these people are your family, they will uplift you, they will support you, and they will love you for being exactly who you are”.

It made me tear up at home as I watched along. It made Harrison tear up on stage. The singer did not hold back from sharing his emotions with the crowd, speaking of how overwhelmed and grateful he was to be playing such an important show and to be surrounded by so many loving, accepting, and understanding fans.

Yungblud’s catalogue of music covers a vast array of emotions and the flow of the setlist was perfect… creating rise and fall, moments of chaos and moments of calm, before concluding on a high. Opening with “Strawberry Lipstick”, “Parents” and “I Love You, Will You Marry Me” created a ruckus in the venue, in the best way, which continued right through to “Anarchy”.

Harrison was at his most vulnerable during the performance of “love song” – a moment of intimacy and calm that reduced the singer to tears. Where “love song” encompasses acceptance, self-love and growth, the reassurance that we’re not alone came during the performances of “I Think I’m OKAY” and “god save me but don’t drown me out” – two of my personal favourites. Hearing “weird” live was also incredibly powerful, with the lyrics acting as the perfect antidote to COVID related lockdowns and isolation felt by fans all over the world.

Yungblud’s London gig was the first time I purchased a ticket to a pandemic-inspired livestream event that featured a live crowd. It reminded me that the world is returning to some form of normality, whilst still being capable of utilising modern technologies and opportunities for global fans. It provided livestream viewers with a heightened sense of emotion, and adrenaline, making us feel as close to the live experience as we possibly could… considering many fans were miles away from Alexandra Palace. Moment House has hosted quite a few of these livestreams now, and it’s worth purchasing the ticket… every single time.

Setlist
1. Strawberry Lipstick
2. Parents
3. Superdeadfriends
4. I Love You, Will You Marry Me
5. Anarchist
6. Mars
7. Weird
8. Fleabag
9. Medication
10. Loner
11. love song
12. I Think I’m OKAY
13. god save me but don’t drown me out
14. Charity
15. Teresa
16. Machine Gun

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Client Liaison – A Night of Divine Intervention – Livestream

October 26, 2021 ~ nataliehannan ~ Leave a comment

During the final weeks of lockdown in Sydney, “Divine Intervention” came in the form of Client Liaison and an electrifying global livestream event. Hosted on October 2nd, Client Liaison celebrated the release of their second studio album with a performance that COVID-19 couldn’t cancel. That’s the beauty of livestreams! The Australian pop duo, consisting of Monte Morgan and Harvey Miller, were joined by their band, and collaborated with the livestream platform Moment House.

The process was much like what I experienced when joining Halsey’s global livestream event. Moment House encourages fan interaction with the chat feature available during the countdown to the concert, as well as during the performance. One fan from the UK was excited the time difference enabled them to enjoy a “morning disco” while all the Aussies were tuning in from 7:30pm!

An additional feature I adored this time around was the merchandise shop, enabling ticketholders to buy Client Liaison merch bundles, all from the comfort of their own homes – and without a queue! It was a great way to further support the duo and make the experience feel akin to attending live music events.

Client Liaison performed a 50-minute set, “welcoming us to heaven” and utilising neon lighting to illuminate a stark-white set, and a truck that housed the duo and their band as they made their grand entrance. A heavenly, ethereal influence was evident during the livestream, as tall Greek-like pillars lined the performance space in what appeared to be a circular form. The “stage” setup – only a small box to give height amongst the band, was centred, complimenting the camera that intimately followed the band and regularly circled around the space.

The livestream took place within the first 48-hours of the new album being shared with the world, which added to the intimacy of the event. Hearing “Intervention” and “Strictly Business” performed live especially excited me, as I’d been listening to the new tracks in the lead up to the stream. Weaving in songs like “Elevator Up” and “Champagne Affection” also highlighted the duo’s strength in creating music that carries heart and soul, yet a fun energy, with the 80’s synth and dance beats flowing through each song in the set.

Client Liaison nail the line between sexy and soulful, especially evident when the saxophone comes out. The duo and their band weren’t afraid to dance, to move and even show off Monte’s outfit changes throughout the show. Fan favourite tracks “World of our Love” and “The Real Thing” were saved for the end of the set, with the livestream concluding after the band performed “House of Holy”.

The event was the perfect accompaniment to a Saturday night in lockdown, igniting joy and hope. At times, the livestream felt meditative, with Client Liaison leaning heavily into the “Divine Intervention” theme to accompany their aptly titled album. It provided the perfect amount of escapism and mindfulness, with lyrics like “let this be your remedy” and “with fire inside, in search of hope, remember this, you’re not alone” more relevant and comforting than ever.

At times, masked crew members were visible – a reminder that the world we know it, despite being a “World of our Love”, is navigating through a pandemic that has had a significant impact on the music industry. The livestream served as hope for the future – a future when we’re all dancing in a crowd as Client Liaison perform on a stage that is radiating love and light.

Livestreams may not be “The Real Thing”, but they sure as hell are the closest thing to a gig we can get at times, and they’re worth the ticket. Even as the world continues to open up, as live music makes a return, I highly recommend supporting your favourite artists and enjoying any livestream events they host. It’s always exciting to see their creativity shine on screen, and it’s unique to experience an intimacy, to performances, plus comfort, that you can only experience at home.

Setlist

1. Club Called Heaven
2. Elevator Up
3. Off White Limousine
4. Intervention
5. Champagne Affection
6. Strictly Business
7. Groove is in The Heart (cover)
8. World of our Love
9. The Real Thing
10. House of Holy