You've probably heard of those concert cruises, where you sail around the Caribbean for a week with your favorite band and they play live music for you every night. Now, the same concept happens on airplanes, except that unlike on giant cruise ships, there's no way to escape. Southwest Airlines is the latest airline to offer live in-flight entertainment in what appears to be a troubling trend designed to make your time in the sky more unpleasant. Billboard recently announced a partnership with Warner Music Nashville and Southwest Airlines to bring live music to a cabin near you, whether you like it or not.
While new bands used to debut in places like Cleveland, they finally found a place they simply couldn't leave during halftime. According to Billboard , this collaboration is a continuation of the Live at 35 aerial concert series and the Opry at the Southwest Porch at Bryant Park summer concert series, which is obviously very popular.
Now, don't get me wrong. I love live music and concerts. I dare you to drag me off the plane if Lady Gaga or Stevie Nicks decides to strut through economy class and sing in the aisle to all the poor passengers packed together like sardines. However, for non-Gaga or Knicks fans, I completely understand that being surprised by a pop-up concert on a plane might not be ideal, as the sound from the plane will most likely filter through to your noise-canceling headphones middle.
But, I guess some people like this kind of thing. I mean, if this is your favorite band, I'm sincerely happy for you, but, honestly, what are the chances of that happening? “To celebrate the news, Atlantic Records/WMN artist Devin Dawson The newest member of the Live at 35 family of musicians performed to a sold-out crowd on a Southwest Airlines flight from Nashville to Philadelphia on Sunday afternoon," Billboard noted.
It sounds like they're comparing cabin capacity to a sold-out show at Madison Square Garden, but, my friends, there's a big difference between an overbooked flight to MSG and to O'Hare. But hey, if it was a short flight and they offered free drinks and made it feel like a little dive bar concert, I guess it might be fun.
Let’s be honest, flying is pretty unpleasant for most people. To make it less scary, people often have their own little rituals, which might include books, downloaded air marathons, napping, drinking, or meditating. But if an emerging band needs to find its audience, I guess throwing them in front of a bunch of people who actually have nowhere else to go is one way to do that.
What about babies and dogs? Just how big is this airplane concert—do babies and dogs have earplugs? What if the baby or emotional support pet doesn't like country music - then you'll have amazing live music and screaming toddlers/howling dogs and maybe even some crying adults.
I think it’s safe to say that travelers have a long list of other needs than a surprise airplane concert. But hey, who cares what the passengers want, right?
Apparently, Dawson's first show at 35,000 feet in front of a real audience also suffered from equipment failure, but if you thought that stopped the madness, think again. "Due to an equipment malfunction (a broken amp), one of Dawson's backing guitarists was forced to serve as a second cameraman on stage as Dawson performed his debut single ("All On Me") and his upcoming "Horse ," several songs from the album "Dark ," will be released on January 19," Billboard reports. "After the concert in the clouds, the young singer walked the aisles handing out souvenir guitar picks and compact discs to the audience."
While many weren't excited about this new "amenity," others clearly thought it was great. The musicians on the plane really felt like they were catering to grumpy passengers. "You know, some people don't really enjoy flying; some people get really nervous and don't enjoy it," Dawson told Billboard . "I hope this [performance] will be a cool surprise for some [passengers] and help them forget about their daily pain, and I'll just play a few songs to make them smile."
Laughed or cried? Who can tell the difference today.
But if your airplane music does make you cry, and not in a good way, I get it. Flying through the sky on poles, with bad food and live instruments isn't everyone's cup of tea. Rest assured, you're not the only one doing this.
