Missing live music? Your car could be the solution, and help save the music industry

The lockdown means you can’t go and see a band at the local pub, let alone attend a full-blown concert…unless you’re in Denmark, that is. Musician Mads Langer has played to a sold-out crowd.

How? With a drive-in concert. Five hundred tickets were sold in just six days to the drive-in event. The audience members stayed in their cars and tuned into the show via a limited FM radio frequency, keeping their distance from each other, meaning event organisers could ensure the health and safety of everyone involved.

The audience stayed in their cars and tuned into the show via a limited FM radio frequency.

Instead of yelling into a sweaty crowd, audience interaction was done via zoom, cheering was replaced with honking, and people were waving their windscreen wipers instead of lighters. However it's unclear if patrons were still missing out on their favourite songs while stuck in line for the port-a-loo.

Like many industries, the music industry has been severely impacted by the lockdown. Many musicians are now relying on the small renumeration they get from streaming services and possible government funding (depending where in the world they are based), and that’s not to mention roadies, venue staff, technical operators and the vast array of freelancers and casuals operating in the industry. While it doesn’t look like music concerts or festivals will be going back to normal any time soon, hopefully in the meantime we can enjoy and support our favourite local musicians from the comfort of our cars.

Check out Triple J's interview with Mads Langer here.