What 5G Means for Concerts in a Post-Pandemic World

As Verizon works to deploy its 5G network nation-wide, it’s also bringing 5G Ultra-Wide Band to select markets.

This technology promises higher bandwidth and speeds for users in crowded stadiums and arenas, and Verizon hopes to deliver spectators their own, unique entertainment experience at events like football games and concerts. While 5G Ultra-Wide Band promises new, unimaginable experiences, I believe it will be more detrimental than innovative.

Verizon’s Vision

Verizon is selling its 5G Ultra-Wide Band network on features like personalized viewing experiences for each fan at a concert. It says that every seat could become the best seat in the house and that people would have a whole new way of interacting with their favorite bands and artists.

Verizon aims to deliver personalized content to users at up to 8K video streams anywhere in a stadium or arena. It plans to offer multiple live camera angles overlaid with augmented and virtual reality experiences to “enhance” concert-goers’ experiences. I think this new technology will have an opposite effect.

The Problem

The thing that separates live concerts and performances from all other forms of entertainment is being present in the moment in the space with other people. Springsteen’s Born to Run album will sound the same no matter where you listen to it or what’s going on in the world because it’s fixed and not fluid.

Those same songs take on a new meaning and energy every night they’re played live to an audience of thousands. People in different places relate to different parts of different songs, and the energy of the show is constantly evolving. Fans young and old work together to pass Bruce over heads from the stage to the back of the floor, and they sing, dance, and clap together.

I predict that these experiences are in danger of falling by the wayside in exchange for thousands of people staring at their phones instead of the stage. Clapping and stomping are in danger of being replaced with tweeting and Snap Chatting. If we’re not careful, concerts will turn into drive-in movies of sorts where everyone is watching the show from the comfort of their own world.

The experience will undoubtedly change for performers too. Bruce won’t be able to just dive spontaneously head-first into the crowd during the interlude of “Hungry Heart”. He’ll have to pull himself out of the moment and make sure that enough people are actually watching him instead of their phones so that he won’t get hurt.

Final Takeaways

The most important part of live concerts is at risk of being cast aside in the name of super-fast cellular networks. If 5G Ultra-Wide Band is deployed recklessly, there’s no doubt concerts will become another place for people to get lost in their phones instead of the music. Finally, 5G Ultra-Wide Band technology could spell the end of the era of performers, like the Boss, diving off stage and crowd surfing their way to the back of the venue.