Virtual events are here to stay. Music in the Metaverse has proven itself as a viable way for musicians to make money and connect with fans on a deeper level.
Technology is still developing to help indie artists to host their own Metaverse concerts (stay updated via our newsletter), but in the meantime, you can build up your stage presence and connect with fans by hosting a virtual concert.
Below, we’ll share exactly how you can host a virtual concert and why Metaverse music events are bound to change the industry for the better.
How To Host A Virtual Concert In 5 Steps
Ready to jam? Let's dive in! Here’s our complete guide to hosting your own online concert:
1. Source your streaming platform.
2. Gather your equipment.
3. Work on set design.
4. Promote your show.
5. Test your stream.
1. Source your streaming platform.
The first step of booking a virtual concert is deciding where you want to host your event. We’ll compare and contrast some of the top streaming platforms below:
Facebook Live
Facebook Live is a great choice for musicians who have already built a following on the platform. You can easily invite your Facebook friends and even process tickets through the paid live event feature. Your fans will be able to view you via mobile or desktop view for extra convenience.
YouTube Live
YouTube Live is another great option that allows you to advertise directly to your subscribers and sell tickets through supported platforms like Eventbrite, AXS, and Ticketmaster. You’ll need an official artist account to sell tickets.
Stage IT
Stage IT is a platform designed specifically for virtual live concerts and presents artists with a built-in tip jar, and tickets sold at a price of your choosing. Fans are able to ask questions and submit requests throughout the show via live chat, providing an intimate experience.
Moment House
Moment House is a modern virtual event space that allows creators to turn pre-recorded content or live concerts into ticketed events. You can set a ticket cap, price and link out merch, tips, and polls for your fans. Moment House also hosts a bunch of customization tools so that you can customize your virtual concert according to your brand.
2. Gather your equipment.
Once you’ve found the perfect place to host your event, make sure you have everything you need for success. There’s a lot of variation here based on what type of show you’re looking to host, but you’ll certainly need a microphone, camera, interface, or mixer to help connect equipment to your computer or phone.
Adapters from companies like iRig are perfect for musicians streaming directly from a phone. Take the time to familiarize yourself with your setup and prep any set software for your gig, too. You might want to prepare a set of covers along with your set in case you want to open up requests to your audience. It’s always better to be overprepared than underprepared.
3. Work on set design.
Don’t forget the importance of presentation. You’ll want to have excellent lighting, a killer outfit, and incorporate visual elements to keep your audience interested if possible. Remember that virtual concerts don’t have the same energy as live sets, so it pays to put extra time and effort into your virtual presentation.
4. Promote your show.
One of the most important aspects of hosting a concert of any kind is taking the time to promote it. Make sure you’re inviting your fans via social media, by DM and giving your audience little snippets of what they might expect from your show. You can seek out other virtual concerts as well to help support other acts and potentially network with future audience members.
5. Test your stream.
Don’t go into your set blind. Make sure you set up plenty of test streams to reduce the risk of technical difficulties. If some should arise, remain confident! Prepare some talking points to keep fans entertained while you and your team work out the issues.
Once you host your show, try to learn from what went well and what you can improve upon the next time around. Much like live performances, it can take a little bit to build some momentum from your audience so keep your head high while you prep to host your next virtual event!
Metaverse for Musicians
Music in the Metaverse offers a compelling case for why you should invest in virtual concerts and experiences for fans. While we’ve yet to see small indie artists hold their own Metaverse concerts, the technology is coming soon (join our newsletter for more details.)
There are plenty of budding companies like Roar Studios working to make Metaverse concerts more accessible for small artists. Other projects like Terra Zero help support creators with just about any Metaverse project ranging from concerts or food delivery.
Big name acts like Lil Nas X are already hosting Metaverse concerts on gaming platforms like Roblox. With Metaverse concerts raking in millions of dollars and access to dedicated gaming communities, it's clear that these virtual events are poised to transform revenue sources for musicians.
Building up your virtual audience will only make it easier for you to transition to performing your music in the Metaverse. Have fun throwing virtual concerts for your fans!
Comments