There’s no going back. The COVID-19 Pandemic has transformed how entertainment takes place. While these three simple entertainment options to deliver shows have been around for years, the pandemic has made them more mainstream. Afterall necessity is the mother of invention.
Two developments accelerated by the pandemic now provide easy, simple options for entertainment for talent buyers and venues. While the return to large, full band performances to larger audiences is something we all want, these options are here to stay.
The first is the need for artists to sustain their music careers and realize some income during a period where they could not perform because of social distancing and stay at home orders. They recognized that they had to be flexible to survive the loss of income from major performances. Entertainers that preferred only full production shows, had to rethink their positions. The result is that most entertainers today have adopted these three simple entertainment options as part of their performance choices.
The second development is technical. While many streaming platforms have been around a while, the pandemic heightened interest in them to monetize artists’ performances. New technology and platforms make the process of streaming and earning income easier than ever before.
Corporations are still holding events. Weddings are still taking place. Retirement, birthday, and anniversary private parties are happening. The major difference is the number of people allowed to gather for them. If you are hosting one of these events for 25 or 50 people, you cannot afford the entertainment you would normally have for a 250 or 500-person event. You still want entertainment. You still may want a certain performer you like for your event. So, what are your options for these kinds of occasions?
Music is a universal language for expressing emotions. Whether it’s motivating a sales team or telling that special someone you love them, there’s no better way than using music to do so. There are songs that specifically relate to the sentiment you want to express. Whether it’s motivating, inspiring, or expressing feelings, nothing does it like music. There are many songs out there. Here’s one list to keep you motivated.
Depending on the nature of the event, these three simple entertainment options offer a lower cost alternative for smaller events.
3 Simple Entertainment Options for Smaller Events?
-
- Live streaming performances
- Personalized video for a specific event
- Live acoustic show.
Live Streaming Performances: There is nothing comparable to a live event, even if it is at a distance. The performance is produced explicitly for your event and it is streamed live to attendees. Such an approach to a performance allows both acoustical and full band performances while adhering to social distancing and capacity requirements for the venue and occasion. Depending on the platform, your patrons can interact with the artist in real time, e.g., making song requests. You can record the performance and post to your social media pages and your website.
An offshoot of this is using a videoconferencing platform like Zoom, Skype, etc. as a platform for the performance and interactions with your clients. Another flexibility of these platforms is the ability for different artists located in different geographic locations to be part of the event.
Personalized Video: No matter what the nature of the event, a surprise, personalized video can really be a hit, conveying just the message you want to send to your sales team, new spouse, or loved one. Your message of motivation, inspiration or love is relayed in the music and lyrics of just the right song by the right artist.
Because these are prerecorded videos, they are explicitly tailored to your event without the potential for distractions associated with a live performance. The timing, script and the song lyrics are preapproved by your clients, so nothing is left to chance. If you need to fill exactly 4 minutes or 20 minutes in your program, a personalized video recording for your occasion is something to consider.
Unlike real time performances, prerecorded performances are much easier on the artists involved as well. They can fit your recording into their schedule. More convenience for them means a less expensive performance for you.
Live Acoustic Show: Let’s face it. You don’t want to spring for the big bucks for a full band production for an audience of 50 for your event. There’s another option if you still want the artist to awe your patrons. Many artists do acoustic shows. These shows involve the artist playing his guitar while serenading that special person or your function participants. Sometimes the artist may bring an additional band member, e.g., a fiddle player, to add to the performance.
Because such acoustical performances do not involve a full band, lighting, staging and big sounds systems, they are attractive to those who want an artist to appear in-person, but can’t justify the cost of a full production for a smaller event. There’s another benefit as well. If you want the performance to be a surprise, that’s easily done. It’s not hard to hide a person and their guitar until the appropriate time to bring them out for your group.
No matter which way you go, these simple entertainment options provide a way for you to convey a message of love, hope or inspiration. Depending on the occasion, these entertainment options are not cost prohibitive compared to a full in-person performance by a celebrity. What they will do is turn the occasion into a memorable one.
Think about it. Whether it’s someone you love or a corporate team, you can do something special for them. Do something out of the box instead of the same thing you’ve been doing year after year for that occasion. What better way to relay your special message to this person or group than by the music and lyrics of a hit song sung by the artist who recorded it.
Take for example, Tracy Byrd’s Country Music Association’s Song of the Year, Keeper of the Stars. From First Dance to a ceremony processional, this song sets the mood for some great country-themed weddings. It’s a beautiful ballad sung by a genuine country superstar. Imagine Tracy dedicating this song to your special person.
“The Keeper of the Stars” Lyrics
It was no accident me finding you
Someone had a hand in it
Long before we ever knew
Now I just can’t believe you’re in my life
Heaven’s smilin’ down on me
As I look at you tonight
I tip my hat to the keeper of the stars
He sure knew what he was doin’
When he joined these two hearts
I hold everything
When I hold you in my arms
I’ve got all I’ll ever need
Thanks to the keeper of the stars
Soft moonlight on your face oh how you shine
It takes my breath away
Just to look into your eyes
I know I don’t deserve a treasure like you
There really are no words
To show my gratitude
So I tip my hat to the keeper of the stars
He sure knew what he was doin’
When he joined these two hearts
I hold everything
When I hold you in my arms
I’ve got all I’ll ever need
Thanks to the keeper of the stars
It was no accident me finding you
Someone had a hand in it
Long before we ever knew
No matter what the occasion, there are songs perfect for it. These three simple entertainment options are a way to have a great performance for your event.
With a recording of the performance, you will have something you can keep and watch over and over again to relive that special occasion.
Related Posts:
Tracy Byrd: Making Country Music His Way
Entertainment Options for Private Events During The Pandemic