From John Legend to Keith Urban, artists have adapted to self-quarantine and found a new form of sharing live music: virtual performances. By using various social media platforms and websites, these celebrities are able to connect with fans in a way that follows social distancing guidelines. 

For some of these artists, their livestreamed events also act as a way to make up for upcoming concerts or festivals that were impacted by the coronavirus outbreak. According to Billboard, January marked the beginning of many concert cancellations and postponements for artists. Just in March, Billie Eilish joined the list of affected performances with her ‘WHERE DO WE GO’ North American tour.

In a press statement, Eilish shared her feelings on the situation. 

“I’m so sad to do this but we need to postpone these dates to keep everyone safe. We’ll let you know when they can be rescheduled. Please keep yourselves healthy. I love you,” Eilish said. 

Just a few weeks after the announcement, Eilish joined Elton John’s coronavirus relief concert, according to Rolling Stone Magazine. Though she may not have been on a stage, she was still able to play her music for her fans. 

Senior Michele Herrera of Keyport said she believes that performances like the one Eilish took part in is the best option for artists to connect with their fans at the moment. 

“Online concerts may seem like a silly idea to one person but for someone else, it could be a really fun experience. Some people would probably prefer it, especially if they struggle with social anxiety,” Herrera said. “For me, I would much rather prefer a live concert in person but given the circumstances right now, this seems to be the best option for musicians to still be active and entertain their fans.”

The artists taking to social media to perform go beyond those who had tours scheduled for the near future. Miley Cyrus, Mariah Carey and Charlie Puth have all held concerts online despite not having to cancel shows, according to Vulture. 

For some fans, the virtual format has given them more opportunities to see live performances from artists. As reported by Statista, the average concert ticket price in 2019 was $96.17 and was continuing to rise. Now, audiences do not have to worry about prices that determine whether or not they can go, with most virtual concerts being entirely free. 

Despite the current situation, artists will continue to connect with their audiences with the power of virtual performances. As experimental musician Ben Babbitt said on a Dublab Radio broadcast, “We have to find creative ways to do special things, because we are still here, we are still active and alive. We need to support each other to find creative solutions in these challenging times.”