Live from your living room: The rise of concert films and livestreamed gigs

Key developments are emerging from the global stage. Live from your living room: The rise of concert films and livestreamed gigs6 minutes ago Share Save Add as preferred on GoogleNaomi ClarkeBBC Newsbeat Getty ImagesTaylor Swift's Eras Tour concert film was released in 2023 and became a box office blockbuster The stage illuminates, the bass kicks in and your favourite musician appears on stage. It's an electrifying moment, and one you'll remember for years to come. But it's become a whole lot easier to relive these moments as more concerts are turned into blockbuster films or livestreamed - for a fee - to fans across the world.

Looked at one way, everyone's a winner. Music lovers get more chances to see their favourite artists perform, and the acts get another potential source of financial support. But from another angle, it can look like yet another way to squeeze money out of audiences already paying premiums for tickets and merchandise.

The Details

Newsbeat's been speaking to fans, artists and some of the people behind big-screen concert experiences to get their views on the matter. Concert films have been around for decades, but pop superstar Taylor Swift raised the bar with the record-breaking Eras Tour movie, which brought in more than $260m (£193m) globally, as reported by Variety. US singer Billie Eilish is set to shake up the space further with her new 3D concert movie, recorded in collaboration with Titanic and Avatar director James Cameron.

Captured during the Manchester leg of her Hit Me Hard and Soft tour, the star has said it's a way for those who couldn't make it to "experience it like they were there". Eilish superfan Haze Haunter was one of the lucky ones who got to see the Co-Op Live gig in person, but says she's excited about seeing the film in cinemas and feeling "all those emotions again". The 25-year-old from Norwich admits it "doesn't compare to being there in person" but can see the appeal as it gets harder - and more expensive - to get tickets for big shows.

Haze, who says she paid £50 less to see Eilish's Happier Than Ever tour at a different venue in 2022, tells Newsbeat she will always try to "scrape up some pennies" to see her idol perform. But she won't be able to justify it forever if the cost does shoot up further. She recognises tickets prices can be dictated by labels and management, but feels something needs to be done so more fans can still see their favourite artists live.

What Experts Say

One potential solution becoming more prevalent is livestreamed shows, which can be watched without walking out of your front door. But opinions vary on how much of a crowd-pleaser they'll prove to be. EPA/ShutterstockBillie Eilish's concert film, which is released this month, is a love letter to her fans K-Pop megastars BTS grabbed headlines when their huge hometown comeback show pulled in about 18.

4m global viewers on Netflix, according to the streamer's own figures. The group's also been selling "livestream tickets" for other stops on its world tour.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.