• Artists, globally, have adapted to shutdowns and have switched to virtual performances from physical performances.
• Musicians are now live-streaming concerts from their homes through online platforms like social media accounts. The online audience then reacts to their performances through shares, comments, and likes.
• Carson Ellis, an American children's book illustrator, started a quarantine art club on Instagram, for the people at home.
• Musicians from Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra recorded a virtual rendition of Beethoven's Ode to Joy, from their homes, and in less than two weeks the video received over 2 million views.

• Artists with a sizable following online are holding private live-streams, to make up for the tour/concerts they canceled, while emerging artists/musicians are broadcasting their performances on public channels to build audiences. Some fans make donations to musicians through PayPal, Venmo, and GoFundMe channels.
• Some platforms used by musicians to perform are Instagram, Facebook Live, Twitch, and YouTube.

• Artists have used Zoom to perform live staged readings and musicals. The Alliance Theater in Atlanta and the Alley in Houston have availed their recent recorded live productions for streaming by fans.
• The Metropolitan Opera is now sharing their past live productions online.
• The consumption of online content has increased. Channels like Spotify has recorded massive growth in paid subscriptions.

Musicians Who Have Performed Live on Social Media

• Paul Simon performed lived on Facebook his songs America, Bridge over Troubled Water, and Mother and Child Reunion, among other songs.
• Yo-Yo Ma, a cellist, performed on his social media some classics, including, The Swan by Saint-Saëns.
• Fred Hersch performs virtually on Facebook Live about every Sunday at around 1:00 PM. 

Drivers for Choosing a Performance Platform

• Technology - The availability of technological resources has driven and aided artists with their work.

• Keeping Fans/Staying Relevant - Artists have been forced to explore and use virtual spaces to engage and entertain their fans in order to remain relevant, entertain, and grow their audiences.

• Social Distancing Initiative - The social distancing initiative, in a bid to control the spread of COVID-19, has driven artists/musicians to opt for performing on virtual spaces like their social media platforms, Facebook Live, YouTube Live, and Instagram Live. Social distancing discourages social gatherings; hence a musician can't hold a concert.

Summary