I never thought I'd miss the joy of being wedged into a stranger's armpit in a moshpit, but here we are. The pandemic has taken a lot from us and, like many others I imagine, I've been mourning the loss of sweaty, heady, deafening music gigs over the last year. However, reading this BBC article on the inventive ways live music is circumventing the traditional stage and crowd setup lifted my spirits a bit.

It also reminded me that I was one of those people who tuned in to watch Dua Lipa's live-streamed concert last year, and it was an absolute hoot. The cinematography was incredible, following Dua around a warehouse, complete with pre-recorded guest segments edited in and a series of choreographed group numbers and nifty costume changes. You could feel the energy and intimacy of the live performance, and it took the whole experience up a level knowing it wasn't pre-recorded. 

I also hadn't considered that, even pre-pandemic, artists and creatives were thinking of ways to engage more than just the physical crowd, and the pandemic has actually accelerated innovation in such areas. From venues fitted with state of the art video technology to innovative performance spaces like a barge on the Thames, to quote the article, "without an audience, the nature of a live show can evolve into something totally different".

Obviously, there is no complete substitute for live music, but it does make me hopeful for a future where we can experience music in so many more ways than a traditional gig, and from anywhere in the world with a stable internet connection.