On the Internet, nobody can hear you request "Free Bird!"
But the bands performing in a Pepsi-sponsored online concert series that kicks off May 16 will get your message anyway.
The performers will hardly be able not to, surrounded by 40 big-screen monitors that display everything anybody in the audience says – and, to an extent, how they feel.
DeepRockLive – an online concert website – puts on other shows outside of this series that cost anywhere from $0 to $10 to attend. It says its goal is to blend "the excitement of live shows with the interactivity of online videogames." Eliminating the concept of seat rows, all attendees are given equal vantage points and the same shot at getting the band's attention, which they can do by sending text message "shout outs" and voting on which song the band should play next.
For the verbally-impaired (or gesture-inclined), an "EmotApplause" feature lets fans express their feelings with animated icons that the band can view alongside shout outs and song requests. Options include a heart sign, the "sign of satan," a pair of kiss-blowing lips and (of course) a lighter.
Fans around the world and bands in the company's Las Vegas studio will be treated to virtually instantaneous interaction. "The artistssee what you shout just milliseconds after you send it to them. Andthey react," according to DeepRockDrive.
Interactive voice technology – which would allow users to speakinto their computer's microphones and have their utterances amplifiedon stage – would be better, of course, but that isn't ready for primetime.
DeepRockDrive's feedback system, as rudimentary as it is, is adefinite step in the right direction. It's unlikely that anything willever replicate the complete concert-going experience, butthere's a lot of room still for experiments that take online concertattendees closer to the action. For instance, audience members for this concert series will be able to toggle between camera angles and audio mixes(high-bandwidth or low-bandwidth; vocals or the complete mix).
All of these concerts are free, thanks to the Pepsisponsorship, so the only real decision is whether you likethe bands that are playing. The lineup isn't really our cup of tea,
but it's sure to be somebody's.
Here's how it stacks up, with links forpreviewing the bands on MySpace and claiming free seats.
May 16: Lady Antebellum (new country) - claim seat
May 18: Marié Digby (from YouTube) - claim seat
May 27: Matt Nathanson (singer/songwriter) - claim seat
May 25: Lloyd (R&B) - claim seat
May 29: Disturbed (multi-platinum metal rock) - claim seat
DeepRockDrive's calendar more shows, some of which are also free to attend.
See Also:
- Live Music Webcasting Starts Making Sense in 2008
- Bands Webcast Shows on Synchronicity Live for your Free Viewing Pleasure
- Exclusive: Fabchannel Scores Major-Label Live Concert Streaming Deal
- Interview: The 'First Massively Multi-User Online Music Festival'
Photos courtesy DeepRockDrive
