Drive in and let the music play – then flash your headlights to applaud

It was the kind of inspired idea that had musicians across the globe swapping notes. In Denmark late last month, 500 tickets sold out within minutes to a live, drive-in concert by popular Danish singer-songwriter Mads Langer in an open field on the outskirts of the city of Aarhus.

Cars were spaced out to meet social-distancing requirements, the music was broadcast on FM radio, and fans could remain in their vehicles and get closer to Langer via video-conferencing tool Zoom.

Danish musician Mads Langer performs to an audience in socially distanced cars.

Now Australians are embracing the concept: just last week, Casey Donovan held a drive-in concert in a car park in Sydney’s inner west, applauded via flashing headlights, and Keith Urban recently did the same in Tennessee as a thank-you to US healthcare workers.

“I think it’s a great idea,” says Jon Hart, singer and keyboard player for Australian band Boy and Bear.

“There is a certain vibe about live music you can’t replace because of the connection between performer and audience, even if the fans are all sitting in their cars.”

Across the globe, live concerts – which, given the decline in album sales, now represent the vast bulk of income for musicians – were prohibited in the mass lockdowns. “It’s not just the performers losing shows, but all the crew losing their jobs,” observes Hart.

“One of our guitar technicians is now packing shelves in Woolworths.”

Singer and keyboard player Jon Hart (centre) with his band, Boy and Bear.

Hart also applauds musicians streaming their shows online from empty venues. Earlier this month, veteran punk rock band The Living End streamed a live performance from a Byron Bay pub, followed by Powderfinger, who reformed for a one-off concert streamed from their home studios to raise money for mental health organisation Beyond Blue.

Boy and Bear, after four top-selling albums and multiple ARIA wins, were last year preparing for their big comeback after a break of more than three years due to a debilitating gastrointestinal illness suffered by lead singer Dave Hosking.

Their upcoming US tour was cancelled and the release of their new acoustic album postponed until July.

They did, however, squeeze in a comeback moment at Sydney’s Enmore Theatre last August. The audience cheered wildly for minutes as they took to the stage. “I choked up, as did the other band members,” Hart recalls.

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