Streamed College Concerts: The Rise of the Slasher

Nirvana, Fleetwood Mac, Bob Dylan, Patti Smith, and Ella Fitzgerald have all graced Lehigh’s campus with their musical talents, creating a rich history of iconic performances. This tradition began in 1963 with a concert by The Temptations and The Isley Brothers described as a “nameless cacophony of pulsating rhythm” by reporter Timothy Bird.
In the 1980s, Lehigh cemented its reputation for drawing big-name artists like Iron Maiden and The Beastie Boys to campus. Despite this history, recent years have seen a decline in the quality and quantity of concerts at Lehigh.
University Productions, the organization behind Lehigh concerts, now hosts only one annual concert each spring featuring artists like COIN, Waka Flocka Flame, and Rich the Kid. This decline is not solely due to Lehigh or University Productions but is a reflection of changes in the music industry as a whole.
The music industry has shifted towards large touring venues and streaming services like Spotify, making it harder for artists to prioritize college concerts. As digital sales have plummeted and streaming services pay artists very little per stream, live performances have become the main source of revenue for artists.
Concert ticket prices have also significantly increased over the years, making it challenging for new artists to break into popular culture. Artists no longer rely on touring to promote their music but rather see concerts as the main event. This shift in philosophy has affected the type of productions and venues that artists now require.
While the days of iconic bands playing at Lehigh may seem like a thing of the past, the evolving music industry landscape and economic pressures make it harder for such performances to occur on college campuses. Despite these changes, the legacy of unforgettable concerts at Lehigh continues to inspire music lovers and students alike.