Many people refer to Woodstock in 1969 as the invention of the music festival and hold it responsible for revolutionising the idea of the live music industry. The industry has gone through several ups and downs over the decades, but people continue to participate in music festivals across the world.
Interest in music concerts and festivals picked up during the 1970s with impactful concerts from world-renowned artists such as Pink Floyd and Michael Jackson, drawing fans in from all over.
Advances in technology meant that audio equipment, lights, lasers, and custom speakers could be incorporated into live stage productions to enhance the quality of performances.
Concerts slowly became more than just about the artists, and crowds were being entertained in several ways, from laser shows to electronic music.
During the 90s, the live music industry experienced a surge in genres experimenting with live performances and entertainment. Where rock music started the live music revolution, genres like rap, hip hop, metal, and punk became more prevalent during the 90s. More and more music festivals incorporated multiple music genres and artists into their programs.
With more genres joining the music revolution, technological advancements made live performances more impressive. Organisers used lights, screens, projectors, gadgets, specialised equipment, and other new technologies to amplify the experience.
Artists such as Madonna and U2 were among the first artists to use giant video screens during their performances by adding video images and narratives to their shows. The 2000s continued to see growth in the live music industry.
The Daft Punk 2006 Coachella performance is said to have been responsible for the rise in popularity of the EDM genre. This transformed the idea of a live concert performance, and it meant breaking down the barrier between the performers and the audience.
Today, audiences are being given a unique opportunity to experience a combination of artistic talent and concert equipment that will make your neck hairs raise. The modern concert has become a complete sensory experience, and people are still flocking by the thousands to see live performances on stage.