The digital age has greatly impacted the world of Performance Arts. This is especially true in how audiences consume this art form. The digital age has allowed for the mass consumption of music, movies, Internet video sensations and various other forms of performance art in our times. It is important to analyze both the benefits and the negative impacts this technology has brought while forcing the artistic world to conform to its principles.
Accessibility
The most beneficial impact of digital music is it accessibility. Instantaneous acquisitions and seamless transaction define this way of attaining music and other art forms. Music stores are essentially a thing of the past as on-demand entertainment reaches across all spans of entertainment. However, such instantaneous gratification comes with a price.
Although this accessibility has saved time and energy in acquiring this music, it is just as important to examine the quality of the music that’s being produced. YouTube, MySpace, Facebook and other social media outlets provide a means for any person (even one without talent) to introduce his or her art form in a digital form. However, this may present a challenge when in search of high-quality music. We are now forced to muddle through all the poor performances that before, were not available and were filtered out by the past conventional means of producing music.
Live Performances
Comparing a recorded piece of music to a live performance of music demonstrates the impact of live energy and what it can do and add specific performance. The energy of the crowd and its contribution to the performance art should never be underestimated and certainly not eliminated from the equation. Imagine what the music would have sounded like in certain concerts such as Woodstock and Live Aid or lollapalooza festivals if these performances were taking place in a studio with no audience? Duplicating the concert hall is nearly impossible in any home studio or car or anywhere else where one might want to listen to music. Professional music acts understand the need to tour and play their music in front of other people in order to make a living.
On the other hand, streaming a live concert from the comfort of your home is now possible thanks to digital technology. Streaming reaches a larger audience and can have a significant payoff to artists as they make both money and names on these live-streamed concerts.
In conclusion, while noting the
importance of the accessibility of digital music, it is also wise to take in
consideration the effects of the quality of the music that this process is
undergoing. As with all change, there
are pros, and there are cons. Digitizing music makes it more accessible and
artists can reach a wider range of listeners. But, many will agree that the
quality of music has and will continue to decline as the digital space becomes
flooded with self-promoters. Technology is not going anywhere and will continue
to advance. I’m curious to see how it will continue to impact music and other
areas of performing arts.
