Steve Machin was appointed as global director of entertainment at Web3 company Vatom this summer. London-based Machin joined the firm in order to drive Web3-powered fan engagement and experiences.
Following senior corporate roles at Ticketmaster Europe and Live Nation, Machin worked in the independent sector as an entrepreneur and co-founder of businesses ranging from data analysis to livestreaming.
Here, he explains why the music business and live sector needs to focus on building music experiences in the metaverse…
The live music industry has always been at the forefront of integrating new technology into fan experiences. From the earliest custom quadraphonic sound systems, all the way through to the recent launch of ABBA Voyage, artist holograms on festival stages, or record-breaking livestreams, technology continues to transform the ways we can engage with the music that we love.
Creating new channels for authentic fan connections is one of the things I love about working in the innovation space, and I’ve never been more excited than I am about the potential that Web3 offers.
Post-pandemic, fans are demanding more: more memorable experiences, increased personalisation, and immersive interactions that expand the breadth of IRL events. According to research from Live Stream and New York Magazine, 87% of audiences would watch an event online if it meant more behind-the-scenes content, and research from YPulse suggests that 37% of Gen Z are interested in attending a concert in a video game.
The potential of Web3 and digital technologies to increase fan engagement was evidenced during Travis Scott’s nine-minute Fortnite concert. With more than 12.3m people attending, Travis Scott netted $20m in merchandise, compared to $53.5m for the entire real-life Astroworld tour, according to Forbes.
Giving Fans What they Want
With the emergence of a hybrid live music industry comes higher expectations from a new generation of fans – expectations that bridge the gap between the in-person experiences we’ve yearned for and the virtualised perks that we’ve grown to expect, as well as brand new experiences. This is where Web3 really shines - the evolution from Web2 and the collision of the digital and physical worlds has opened a new horizon of possibilities for artists to connect seamlessly with fans and concertgoers in ways that we have been dreaming about.
That said, Web3 technology is still not being embraced to its fullest potential.
At its core, Web3 essentially enables communities to thrive. This is especially important in music, where livelihoods are dictated based on the health of, and connection to, fandoms. While digital wallets, NFTs, or even metaverses may seem overly complex or irrelevant, they are literally the keys to cultivating communities in a new democratised, creator-first ecosystem.
With the emergence of a hybrid live music industry comes higher expectations from a new generation of fans
Steve Machin
Artists and brands embracing a Web3 approach have found some success as they trailblaze a new frontier of personalised, hybrid experiences. Take for example the latest endeavour from pioneers Richie Hawtin and Deadmau5, a newly unveiled IRL and URL network that enables everything from new music unlocked through NFTs to gamified content with exclusive rewards. And earlier this year, The Weeknd announced the integration of Web3 opportunities into his latest tour that will include exclusive NFTs accompanied by co-branded merchandise and the ability for attendees to use their virtual ticket stubs to redeem collectible NFTs and gain access to exclusive events.
As a sector, we are beginning to bring music, the reputed ‘universal language,’ and the border-defying, decentralised technologies of Web3 into harmony… but what does that mean for artists right now? It's simple, don’t wait! As the proverb says, “the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago; the second best time is today.”
It isn’t necessary to fully understand Web3 services to start using them today to quickly and easily engage, and importantly, empower fans at any level, from evangelist to enthusiast. There are many simple first “test and learn” steps that can be taken to drive outcome-focused activities that result in real connection and impact.
It's not just about replacing a ticket with an NFT or hosting a virtual concert, it's about using the power of Web3 to create a long-term, valuable and direct relationship between fans and the artists they love.
Invite fans to an exclusive immersive listening party in the artist’s own virtual microverse, building community connections and sharing music far outside the confines of a concert or festival. If you want to add revenue, create exclusive merch items for fans’ avatars to wear wherever they go online – remember, the metaverse is by definition a collection of interoperable spaces.
Reward loyal fans with NFTs that give them a preview of a new song if they share the NFT with a friend - helping to expand the fan community.
We already have the ability to start elevating the live industry with functional digital toolkits that allow us to surprise and delight fans, build loyal communities, and bring new commercial opportunities to bear. The only question that remains is, what will your next step be?
