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News

COVID-19: How Virtual Concerts and Live Stream Events Can Help

April 1, 2020

There hasn’t been an event like the coronavirus in our lifetime. Millions of Americans are quarantined at home, seeking some form of escape from their fear and worry. And musicians and entertainers are frustrated that they can’t provide the euphoric release that so many need – at least in person. This is why Onstage Systems is now ready to bring you virtual concerts.

While VR (Virtual Reality) concerts have been on the industry’s radar, now the adoption of this technology has been accelerated at a lightning pace. From the simple, such as social media live streams and virtual concerts, to complex fully VR-enabled concert experiences, the time is now to rock the crowd from their couches.

Dallas-based Onstage Systems is leveraging decades of live show experience and technical know-how to lead the charge.

Taking the virtual stage will bring new challenges. It’ll take more than just amazing performances and great content to keep the energy going. How will performers feel the energy of the crowd when they’re not performing in front of one? And how will audiences feel dancing, singing along and getting loud when they’re self-isolated?

Artists and their audiences may struggle at first to find the same raw energy they get from being there in person. And real-time events allow no room for mistakes, production snafus or connectivity issues. Audiences have come to demand pitch-perfect audio, perfect lighting, and cutting edge special effects. These virtual events must match – or even eclipse – their expectations. These acts need to hire professionals who are just as concerned with perfection as they are.

Despite the stripped-down nature of many of these performances, audiences will soon demand the level of concert experience that they’ve come to love. Perfect audio. Dramatic lighting. Dynamic staging. Explosive special effects. And multi-camera setups that may create an even more intimate experience than attending a show in person.

Despite the uncertainty of when live events will return, there remains plenty of opportunity. Live streams and virtual concerts will be the perfect way for artists worldwide to work with one another and corporate partners to create entirely new fundraising streams for charities ready to help those impacted by this crisis.

For example, Josh Groban, JoJo and Russell Dickerson are working with Billboard to present live stream concerts that will help a variety of non-profit partners such as the American Red Cross, MusiCares, the National Coalition for the Homeless and more.

DJ D-Nice of Boogie Down Productions also created a buzz with his ten-hour Homeschool party, which also featured appearances by Oprah Winfrey and Joe Biden.

In an unprecedented move, the producer Diplo was able to convince nearly every major publisher and record label to allow him to use their music in his live-streamed DJ sets, with all royalties being paid to all those whose music is played in the shows.

Obviously, the world has changed quite suddenly. Yet it’s also the right time for artists, entertainers, musicians, non-profits, and corporations to come together and provide something special for those doing their part and staying inside during the quarantine.

There’s never been a more critical time to entertain America. Those that do so will create experiences and memories that will last forever.

Just as you need the right crew to ensure that live shows happen without a hitch, you need a virtual partner ready to answer these challenges. A virtual events production partner like Onstage Systems.

For more than forty years, Onstage has been an innovator at the forefront of event production innovation. While others are scrambling to perfect virtual concert and entertainment experiences, they’ve already helped world-famous artists like Willie Nelson and Bette Midler virtually thrill their loyal fanbases.

Our team of industry veterans is ready to help in any way possible. Connect with them today by phone at 972-686-4488, via email at info@onstagesystems.com or via our website onstagesystems.com.

Category: News

Letter to Our Industry

March 30, 2020

Hyacinth Belcher
Hyacinth Belcher, President, Onstage Systems

Our industry is experiencing devastating losses because of our inability to work and contribute to society. So many of us are small businesses, the heartbeat of America, and we are falling fast and hard. Our people—who are our friends, our family, and who make up our workforce—are suffering while we are trying to keep our businesses intact.

Many of us are grieving this loss while remaining at home and unable to do what we love. Unable to contribute. Our society depends and thrives on music, art, travel, and social interactions in restaurants and bars. Connection is vital for our society. Until now, our industries have been the pipeline of that connection.

Today, that is halted.

We must not fall into darkness at this time. Breakaway from the news, Netflix, and binge-watching. Take the time to think, discover, debate, and find interpersonal connections in new ways. Today, we must focus on helping people. Within our industries, we can find new ways to help people help other people. We are all beautiful people. We must remember now more than ever our strengths, our connections, and our purpose.

Our company is working with non-profits to help them connect with their audiences through live broadcasting, which allows them to engage with their sponsors and the people whom they are trying to help. Today, we are moving our trucks across the nation to deliver much-needed medical equipment, food, and essential supplies to communities in need. We are working with musicians to support them as they find ways to deliver messages of hope and love during this time.

I am honored to be a part of this shift in finding new ways for our industry to continue providing connections throughout our society. I am proud to see what others have done: delivering groceries—fresh food, cooking meals for service-industry professionals, and holding fundraisers to help those who are so affected by this pandemic and its fallout.

Pain either causes us to stop and freeze or to grow and rise up. When I look back at my life and what I have accomplished, I see that the most painful, stressful times are the times where I grew the most personally and professionally.

Stand, rise and recover. We can do this together.

Hyacinth Belcher
CEO, Onstage Systems

Cell: 214.676.5570

Category: News

A Message From Our Leadership Regarding COVID-19

March 17, 2020

Hyacinth Belcher
Hyacinth Belcher, President, Onstage Systems

Dear friends, colleagues, and clients,

Many of you know us as your go-to resource for event production and AV solutions. We’re proud of our history of working with clients large and small to help them create highly successful events for more than 40 years.

Today, our industry, like yours, is being challenged by one of the greatest health crises of our lifetime. Health experts are recommending large events be postponed as a way to help prevent the spread of Coronavirus. It’s up to all of us to heed these warnings to protect our health and the health of our loved ones and clients. Believe me, I know it’s tough for you because it’s tough for us when you have to postpone an event. The economic reality of the disease is hitting all businesses, especially those involved in event planning and production.

I want you to know that we are committed to helping you through these challenging times. We are constantly monitoring events and using the advice of health professionals to help us help you. While bringing people together for an event may not be feasible now, we are putting our creative ideas together for you to help you hold the event in a different, but still effective way.

Innovation has been a North Star for our business, and it is guiding us now to help you find an alternative. We are currently working with clients to utilize live streaming technology, remote presentation approaches, and virtual meeting options to be able to hold their events. Our experience enables us to work across platforms ranging from Facebook Live, YouTube Live, all the way to Enterprise Solutions to accomplish this change in meeting or event formats.

While we’re known for working with large-scale events, we are equally adept at helping stage smaller events, including in-home events. Breaking your large event into smaller gatherings in smaller venues is certainly an option several of our clients are considering.

If you should decide to postpone your event to a later date, we are here to work with you every step of the way to handle rescheduling and logistics seamlessly so that you can be assured that your future event will be successful. In the face of this current health crisis, we remain more committed than ever to be an indispensable resource for our clients, providing them unparalleled service and experienced counsel to create events that are exhilarating experiences that provide everlasting impressions.

My team and I are ready to support your event needs. Please feel free to contact me at any time. Here’s my contact information – via phone at 972-686-4488, via email at info@onstagesystems.com, or via our website onstagesystems.com.

Keep yourself and your loved ones safe during this challenging time.

Hyacinth Belcher,
President, Onstage Systems

Category: News

4 Ways to Enhance Your Concert Stage Design 

January 8, 2020

Your concert stage design allows you to intimately connect with your audience and showcase your creativity in all its glory. Therefore, on the day of your event, the last thing you want is to perform on a stage that wasn’t optimized for visibility. Here are 4 ways you can enhance your concert stage design and create memorable moments for your audience:

1. Consider The Audience’s Point of View

Crowd ready to view the concert from any angle
No matter how impressive your concert stage looks, if your audience can’t see you, it won’t matter how many special effects you include in the performance. Before you start designing the stage, take a closer look at the audience’s point of view.
Is your venue located on an incline or small hill that requires the audience to look up? Would it be difficult for those standing in the back of the venue to see your performance? Are you expecting a large turnout or is this a smaller event? 
Depending on your audience’s visibility, crowd size, and the design of the venue, you’ll need to adjust your stage design to ensure everyone in the crowd can see every part of your performance. 

2. Create Lasting Memories with Memorable Lighting

Stage design is enhanced with lighting
Knowing how to properly light a stage requires a mix of technical expertise and a splash of creativity. But if you want to bring your concert stage design to the next level, you’ll want to invest in memorable lighting effects that set the mood.
In addition to stage and spotlights, you can work with an event production company like Onstage Systems that has an all-encompassing inventory of LED fixtures, decor lighting, atmospheric lights, dimmers, and any other light fixture you’d need.
These upgraded lighting setups will shower your venue in colorful hues and transform the atmosphere in the room. The secret to designing an ideal lighting setup is to align your performance with your lights. Do you have a high energy, dynamic performance? Consider automated lights that change with the music. Is your performance sentimental and ethereal? Opt for mood lights that complement the music.

3. If You Can’t Build A Tall Stage, Build A Wide One

Stage design is enhanced with a wide stage
The size and scale of your stage has a lasting impact on how the audience experiences the performance. A small stage surrounded by a 360-degree audience offers an intimate feel while a massive stadium with a giant stage offers a completely different concert experience.
Your ability to imagine creative stage designs is limitless, but the technicalities of your venue may constrain how large you can design your stage.
Instead of building a towering stage with sky-high lights and special effects, opt for a wide stage that envelops your audience instead. Wide stages are perfect if your venue is indoors and constrained by the height of the building. A wider stage also allows you to creatively segment your performance into sections so different parts of the performance can take place in various sections of the stage.

4. Cover Up Wires and Cluttered Equipment

Stage design is enhanced by covering the clutter
Now that you’ve secured a venue and established a layout for your stage design, the last item on your to-do list is to cover up wires and mask any cluttered audio visual equipment. 
As you’ll quickly discover during your setup, wires, crates, and AV equipment can accumulate on the stage and distract your audience. The easiest way to hide unruly gear is to cloak your mess behind curtains, fences, or other design elements.
If for some reason you’re unable to discreetly cover your tracks, another solution is to use lighting equipment to dim your cluttered areas and spotlight the performers. This simple act of misdirection will keep the crowd focused on the show instead of the clutter.

Putting Your Stage Design Together

audio visual elements at a concert
When you design your concert stage, your priority should be to enhance the customer experience. Concertgoers want to feel immersed in the performance with zero distractions to get in the way of their enjoyment. 
Although these four tips can help guide you towards an enhanced concert experience, there are always unforeseen circumstances that can make your path towards success more difficult. Whether it’s a change of weather, last-minute venue relocation, or a crate with missing equipment, anything can happen.
Avoid the stress of designing your concert stage and contact an event production company like Onstage Systems. Our team is comprised of industry veterans who understand how to produce memorable concerts and have experience attending dozens of concerts themselves. At Onstage Systems, we aren’t just event production specialists, we’re music fans just like you who want nothing more than to create lasting memories.

Category: News

My 12 year Journey to Burning Man

October 25, 2019

My 12 year Journey to Burning Man

by Hyacinth Belcher, CEO Onstage Systems

My first trip to Burning Man was back in 2016. Prior to my first visit, I’d already been to regional Burning Man events before and I’d been invited to Nevada every summer for the last 12 years. Unfortunately, running my own business made it difficult to schedule a trip down to Nevada so I never got a chance to truly enjoy the wonders of Black Rock City. burning-man-sonic-soul-tribe-onstage-systems

I’ve always been a burner at heart, I just never made it to Burning Man. Then in 2016, I bought my first ticket, picked up all the essentials for my 9-day adventure, and began my journey to Burning Man.

My First Night at Burning Man

On the night of my first day at Burning Man, my friend — the same one who’d been bugging me to go for the last 12 years — turned to me and asked, “Well? Is this what you expected?” “Yes!” Burning Man was everything I had hope for. The music, the artistry, and the community exceeded my wildest expectations. And this was only the first night. When I returned to Burning Man for a second time in 2018, I found myself deep in the playa when I heard music from all the stages melt into one. Then an idea hit me. I immediately nudged my friend John and said, “I can’t just be a spotter anymore. I have to do a camp next year. “  Experiencing Burning Man as a witness was a memorable milestone, but I wanted to take it to the next level and create something special. Once I arrived home from Burning Man, I received a call from a close friend. “Hey, what do you think about doing a camp?” One call was all it took. We immediately started working on a plan to create our own camp. And that’s how Sonic Soul Tribe was born. When it came to naming our crew, we threw out a few names and ideas — some not as catchy as others. So we looked at our group, the gift of music we wanted to give to Burning Man, and the heart and soul we invested in creating a masterpiece bigger than ourselves.  We combined all three elements (music, passion, teamwork) and came up with a name that perfectly embodied our work: Sonic Soul Tribe.

The Making of Sonic Soul Tribe

burning-man-sonic-soul-tribe-onstage-systems Once I arrived home from Burning Man, I contacted seven of my core friends to start planning. We’ve all known and worked with each other for 20 years, and I knew we had the potential to build something amazing together.  say something like, we had all been friends for 20 + years, they were the ones who finally got me out there – and it just made sense that we all do this together. it was meant to be.  In our day jobs, the seven of us build what clients and promoters need. But at Burning Man, we explored our imagination, combined our talents, and created our own gift to the burners at Black Rock City. When the first doppelganger’s of music hit the playa, I actually cried. I don’t think the word doppelgängers works here – when our friend took the stage and performed a beautiful ode to the desert with his flute, a drum and a soulful voice – I actually cried. burning-man-sonic-soul-tribe-onstage-systems After 9 months of planning and learning to work with people in new ways, our creation was complete. When I finally took a step back and looked at all our progress, I was overwhelmed with emotions. All our hard work and late nights lead to this one magical moment. Our small tribe of seven people achieved an impossible dream 9 months in the making.

What I Learned From Running My Own Camp at Burning Man

burning-man-sonic-soul-tribe-onstage-systems burning-man-sonic-soul-tribe-onstage-systems Running your own camp at Burning Man is like managing a little city. The needs of Sonic Soul Tribe and the skills that each person brought to the table were varied. Once we started, I quickly learned that unlike the employees at my company, volunteers at Burning Man are completely different. They come from different backgrounds and they all require different things to stay motivated. I realized I had to switch gears and adopt a new approach to inspire Sonic Soul Tribe and 50-60 campers who’d never been a part of such a big project. It was challenging work, but I was fortunate to have the help of my camp co-lead, Don Gentry.  When it comes to communication and management, Don and I were opposite sides of the coin, but we worked through our differences in pursuit of Sonic Soul Tribe’s grand vision. Working together taught me the value of approaching projects in new and inventive ways, and it was helpful to have a devil’s advocate in my corner who challenged me to come up with better solutions. It’s been over a year since I last went to Burning Man, but the desire to create, to overcome challenges, and turn a vision of creativity into reality is what inspires me to be a burner for life.

Category: News

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