Think about the last time you went to a live concert. Your favorite band arrives on stage, the crowd roars, and almost everyone in the audience raises their mobile device to capture the moment. But, what happens next? Can you share that snap, photo or video?
Let’s hold on answering that question for now, and think about connections at a live concert. Fans connect with their friends. The artist or band connects with the crowd. The venue connects with both of them as it pulsates with energy. All those connections meld together to create this rich and memorable feeling that takes people at the show from just being fans and turns them into passionate evangelists.
It becomes even clearer that the ability to share that experience digitally, through a snap, photo or video, becomes exponentially more meaningful for the fans, bands/artists and the venues. And it is confirmed by feedback from fans around the world, that they want to share that moment more than ever before. Fans have told us in no uncertain terms that the live experience needs to be more interactive, engaging and instantly shareable.
This is why Live Nation – the global leader in live entertainment that every day and night puts on 70 concerts or show all over the world – chose to make Cisco Connected Stadium Wi-Fi available in 10 outdoor amphitheaters this fall, and another 20 will have the technology by the summer of 2017.
Live Nation uses Cisco Wi-Fi and geofencing to boost influencer recruitment and social data. https://t.co/Ugr2zddl4G pic.twitter.com/dvt0hfBKgO
— Ad Age (@adage) October 31, 2016
Wi-Fi, and other Cisco Sports & Entertainment solutions, have been installed in more than 350 venues in over 35 countries around the world. We have been reshaping the fan experience for years in the sports entertainment world, and now we have the opportunity to do so in even bigger ways in the live concert industry.
The real beauty for Live Nation is that with enhanced connectivity they can glean more data and insights and evaluate ways to further complement the live experience. They can turn potential pain points into conveniences, and make the overall concert experience more personal and customized. This not only enhances things for fans but also creates business opportunities. It’s a win-win situation.
We’re thrilled to be partnering with an industry leader in Live Nation to truly create the connected concert experience that we know fans desire. It’s another example of when we securely connect everything, anything becomes possible, and why there has never been a better time to help in transforming the live concert experience.
Yup! strong wi-fi is a MUST. back in 2008, people started complaining that they couldn’t send pictures to each other while they were at a concert or a sports game. But now, half the fans are all uploading HD video clips over social media simultaneously. Those venues NEED Cisco’s high-density wi-fi infrastructure, or the venue will be draining fans’ batteries in vein! Nothing but “cannot send” and the eternal “uploading” ticker. We’re spoiled with all this tech, but it is so painful to experience that, and actually takes away from being able to enjoy the live experience. Ironic, I know. But, this is the truth. And people are only going to demand stronger and faster connectivity as time goes on.
Agreed, Justin! And not only that, but no one wants to suffer from data caps and hold back from sharing just because there isn’t strong wi-fi in place. This goes a long way to making the entire experience even more memorable and enjoyable. I also love it when venues or vendors respond instantly to issues based on having real time assessment of any pain points fans experience.