The production of “liveliness”:

music, technology and mediatized performance in times of social isolation

Abstract

This article aims to discuss the notion of performance in live music. From a communicational approach, having as a case of study the concerts produced through social networks during the social isolation adopted to combat the proliferation of new coronavirus. Questions about technological mediation and performance documentation; the “liveliness” and complex temporalities of media products; uses of social networks and new interactions between musicians and fans are some of the topics addressed here to try to understand the place of live music within the current media culture. Beyond trying to understand mediatized performance as an opposite facet of face-to-face performances, we seek a broad view that contemplates the action of individuals and technologies, seeking a perspective that builds contemporary live music from elements that are not, necessarily, musical.