The Because Music Matters series is fast becoming a transition medium to the good old days of pre-covid live performances. Two weeks ago, around 600 people gathered at the Rockhal's main auditorium to enjoy a performance by Serge Tonnar, amid rising expectations for the future of live concerts.

Rockhal CEO Olivier Toth explained that people were aware and compliant with the rules, and that the concert series is not just a breath of fresh air for the audience and the artist, but for other stakeholders behind the scenes such as the cleaners, bartenders, technicians, security etc. He explains that the main agenda of the concert series is to lead the way towards a return to large-scale live events, and early conversations with authorities have encouraged this transition with strong support received from the state including the health and culture ministries, and a subsequent auditorium capacity increase from 100 to 1,000 people.

Toth says that from the outset, even though organising a concert for only 100 people in an auditorium for over 6500 people was not cost effective, this was a small price to pay for the bigger agenda of encouraging a progressive return to full capacity. A loss of about 80% of events, audiences, and financial turnover have been recorded so far, similar to other large concert organisers, and most European wide tours have disappeared.

When asked about his estimation of the success that the series has had so far, Toth says that an ignited hope for the industry makes all the difference. Guests in attendance at the last event were allowed to stand up and dance in their assigned places, making it possible to connect with the artists who are always pleased to watch the reaction of fans. 

The transition and upcoming activites

The next performance by the Remo Cavallini band on Friday 4 June is expected to welcome even more people, and an enthusiastic and supporting audience supporting the sector, the artists and a progressive transition.

Toth says that ongoing discussions on the return of international artists and reopening strategies have been effective, thanks to lobbying efforts together with the Arena Resilience Alliance (ARA) at EU Parliament and European Commission levels. The process has however been slow-paced, and activities are not well coordinated on a European scale with different kinds of restrictions applying at national levels.  

Although increased interaction and communication between audiences and artists specialising in different genres as part of the live concert series is a huge plus, digital performances such as the Rocklab pop-up sessions serve as a promotion tool internationally for artists. He says that although digital formats may not pay to the same extent as live performances, it is likewise profitable for the artist on different levels. The most recent pop-up session with Scarred, filmed at the Caves Mercier about 40 meters underground just two weeks ago, is now on YouTube and has had almost 27,000 views.

According to Toth, the pop-up sessions are here to stay, and music lovers can expect a new performance each month filmed at unique settings in Luxembourg. A completely new Rocklab session is expected to be launched next week.