What’s Behind the Magic of Live Music?

What’s Behind the Magic of Live Music?
Live music is better than virtual music. Here's why. U.S. opera singer Michael Spyres performs during the 2021 annual French classical music awards ceremony, Victoires de la Musique Classique, at the Auditorium venue, in Lyon, France. JEFF PACHOUD/AFP via Getty Images
The Conversation
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For months, fans were relegated to watching their favorite singers and musicians over Zoom or via webcasts. Now, live shows—from festivals like Lollapalooza to Broadway musicals—are officially back.
The songs that beamed into living rooms during the depths of the COVID-19 pandemic may have featured an artist’s hits. But there’s just something magical about seeing music surrounded by other people. Some fans reported being so moved by their first live shows in nearly two years that they wept with joy.