The Brief: Cities are on lockdown and you're stuck at home, but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy live music. Artists and DJs are now livestreaming their virtual performances.
DEEP DIVE
In order to stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus, cities are on lockdown and requiring residents to self-quarantine, practice social distancing, and stay at home subsequently canceling IRL concerts around the world. This doesn’t mean fun is canceled. DJs and musicians have found another way to perform for their audiences over livestream. On March 30, James Corden recruited Billie Eilish, FINNEAS, John Legend, and Dua Lipa to perform from their homes during his late-night at-home charity concert called HomeFest: James Corden’s Late Late Show Special. There are plenty more virtual concerts to livestream while in quarantine. Here are some of the concerts and DJ sets coming to you in April 2020.
‘Fader’ FORT, March 31
This exclusive concert series is normally held during arts and tech festival South By South West (SXSW) in Texas. This year, everyone can enjoy the 40 acts scheduled to take part. Headliners include Kesha, FINNEAS, Noah Cyrus, Phantogram, and more. Fader Fort livestreams March 31 at 7 a.m. PT until 4 p.m. PT at thefader.com/fort.
‘Billboard’ Magazine’s Live At Home Concert Series
Over Facebook Live, Billboard Magazine will bring top-performers into your home via livestream. The magazine kicked things off with JoJo on March 19. Upcoming performances include Tank and the Bangas on April 1 at 10 a.m. PT, The Driver Era on April 2 at 12 p.m. PT, and Hozier on April 3 at 2 p.m. PT.
Check out the entire schedule here.
JoJo | Billboard Live At-Home Performance | Fundraiser for My Friend's Place
I'm JoJo and I'm teaming up with Billboard to raise money for My Friend's Place with a Billboard Live At-Home performance 🏡 Drop your questions/comments/requests below, and head to My Friend's Place to help end youth homelessness. ❤️
Posted by Billboard on Thursday, March 19, 2020
DJ Diplo, April 2
Producer and DJ Diplo is hosting themed livestream concerts Thursday through Sunday featuring artists like Major Lazer for a reggae and dance-hall-inspired set. Diplo previously livestreamed country, house, and ambient-infused sets. His next living room concert will stream across Instagram, Twitch, and YouTube starting at 7 p.m. PT. Post concert, people can replay the stream on YouTube.
DJ D-Nice’s Club Quarantine, April 4
This DJ’s virtual house parties are celebrity-filled. His previous virtual set called “Home School” was joined by Michelle Obama, Rihanna, Will Smith, and over 100,000 viewers on Instagram. Oprah Winfrey called the concert “the most hopeful, healing experience … going on as a collective, virtual community in the United States.” If you’re looking to enjoy a mix of old school R&B and Hip-Hop, DJ D-Nice’s next home concert is set for April 4 at 4 p.m. PT.
‘Academy of Country Music Presents: Our Country’ April 5
Various country stars will perform intimate sets and at-home acoustic performances as part of ACM Presents: Our Country on CBS and livestreaming platform CBS: All Access at 5 p.m. PT on April 5. Headliners includes Kelsea Ballerini, Kane Brown and John Legend, Luke Bryan, Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani, Shania Twain, and many more.
#Couchella, April 10
From the makers of Coachella, comes a livestream original documentary. The YouTube Original is being called #Couchella as it will stream the biggest moments from the past 20 years of the festival. The documentary will air in place of the IRL concert that was postponed and moved from two weekends in April 2020 to October 2020. Coachella: 20 Years In The Desert will stream on YouTube on April 10 at 12 p.m. PT.
Additional live streaming events include:
If you’re into classical, catch The Metropolitan Opera is livestreaming a variety of shows now. Check out the schedule at Metropolitan Opera.
Jazz fans can tune into Live from Our Living Rooms Jazz Festival running from April 1- 7 at Live From Our Living Rooms.
According to Billboard, other artists who have streamed or are planning to livestream shows include rock artist Yungblud, J-pop entertainment outfit LDH Japan, celtic punk band Dropkick Murphys, and American folk rock duo Indigo Girls.