Accelerated Times: Post-Capitalism and Music Industry Pedagogy

Abstract

This chapter explores the post-Covid adoption of livestreaming as both a pedagogical tool and as a development within the live music industry. This meta-narrative will draw on research around the efficacies of on-line and blended teaching and update that knowledge though an analysis of the current landscape. With a particular reference to music courses, I will interrogate how universities have adapted teaching to the online environment and what part the pandemic has played in this. At the same time, I will use my own students’ experience of on-line teaching to understand its benefits and drawbacks. Third, I will compare and contrast those experiences with how music fans have taken to livestreamed gigs and how the industry has embraced the format, or otherwise. In the same way as tutors have had to adapt their teaching to the on-line environment, so acts have adapted their live offering to the on-line world, for example by including interviews and other ‘extra content’ to their streams. The chapter will look at the popularity of livestreaming and the ‘long tail’ nature of livestreamed gigs where the shows are recorded and can build up a considerable audience over time, despite potentially having had only a few views for the original live performance. On the other hand, large concerts can pull in thousands of fans from all over the world. I also look at this aspect from the pedagogical perspective by researching whether students watch recorded lectures and, if so, what do they consider to be the pros and cons. As well as this, I draw on current and recent academic research around blended learning and music livestreams. There is no doubt that on-line has established itself as a platform in future for the live music industry and for higher education teaching. This chapter will interrogate just how big a role it is set to play.