Drive-In Concerts

Vanessa Martocci and Meena Lane

The Coronavirus pandemic has caused many issues for those in the entertainment industry. From concerts, to movie theaters, many have had to rethink their way of doing things. Drive-in concerts and movies gained popularity in the spring, due to the closure of venues and theaters. 

Many artists have opted to host their concerts virtually, in order to help support the industry. Liam Payne hosted two concerts through the website Veeps. He performed like he typically would have but without an audience in person. On April 18th, the organization Global Citizen hosted a world wide musical event, “One World: Together at Home” . This replaced their annual music festival that raised money for the Global Poverty Project. This year the proceeds went to research for COVID-19 through the Solidarity Response Fund. It headlined many famous musicians such as Lady Gaga, Elton John, The Rolling Stones, Lizzo, Taylor Swift, Celine Dion, John Legend, Sam Smith, and Andrea Bocelli. The event was hosted by Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, and Stephen Colbert, with guest appearances by Amy Pohler, David Beckham, and others. 

DJ D-Nice performed a drive-in concert in Miami in late May, of this year. He was unsure of how he was going to get audience involvement because everyone was in cars. People began using their car horns and eventually DJ D-Nice had a “call and response”; “‘if you’re feeling good, blow your horns!’ And the moment that I felt that and it was loud, that was it. It just felt like a regular set to me.”  Alicia Keys performed a drive-in concert, with guests, Khalid and Gramercy Park ft. Bebe Rexha. Not only was it a drive-in concert, but the performance was aired live on The Late Late Show with James Corden

Having the opportunity to attend concerts like these, still gives us the ability to have fun and do the things we once enjoyed before quarantine. Seeing our favorite artists sing live or just having a fun night out, can be a step closer to feeling normal again. Plus, these concerts are a way to have fun while still preventing the spread of the coronavirus. Though, we won’t be able to be shoulder to shoulder with our friends, jumping up and down, shouting the music, these drive-in concerts are just another way that we are learning to adapt to the virus. These events maintain social distancing guidelines; the organizers make sure that masks are handed out as cars pull in if you don’t have one. There’s security at the venues to ensure that people stay inside their cars or within a 6-feet distance of other people. The attendees are encouraged to bring their drinks, snacks, and food. Just like drive-in movies, which more people started attending, you can be in the comfort of your own car. 

 

Below are links to lists of virtual and drive-in concerts in the US:

 

https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/concerts/9379646/drive-in-concerts-list-coronavirus

 

https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/9335531/coronavirus-quarantine-music-events-online-streams 

 

Photo Credits: https://twitter.com/latelateshow/status/1308236159512846337/photo/1