Virtual Concerts are live music performances in digital spaces, pioneered by Marshmello’s 2019 Fortnite concert (10M+ concurrent viewers) and exploding during COVID when in-person shows impossible. Travis Scott’s “Astronomical” (2020) became most-attended concert ever (27M+ participants), proving virtual events viable but post-pandemic interest waned.
Fortnite Pioneering
Marshmello (February 2019):
- First major in-game concert
- 10M+ concurrent players
- Interactive, immersive
- Proved concept viable
Travis Scott’s “Astronomical” (April 2020)
Pandemic-era peak:
- 27.7M unique participants
- Multiple showtimes
- Giant Travis avatar
- Surreal visuals
- Highest-attended “concert” ever
COVID Necessity
Pandemic accelerated:
- Livestream concerts
- VR performances
- Minecraft/Roblox events
- Zoom shows (desperate times)
Post-Pandemic Decline
Virtual concerts faded:
- Real shows returned
- Novelty wore off
- Most preferred physical
- Metaverse hype died
Sources:
- Fortnite Concert Statistics
- Travis Scott Astronomical Data
- Virtual Event Industry Reports