Respecting the Art of Live Music: A Critical Examination of Horizontal Screens in Music Venues
The rapid evolution of digital media consumption has undeniably positioned the 9:16 vertical video format as a dominant force. This format, primarily optimized for mobile devices, has proven effective in aligning with the habits of modern users, facilitating efficient content delivery for individuals frequently engaged in scrolling through image and video feeds. The vertical orientation, with its narrow yet tall frame, appears to meet the demands of a quick, easily digestible viewing experience. In this context, the vertical format has indeed found its purpose and function.
However, as with many technological and cultural trends, there are boundaries to the appropriate application of the 9:16 format. An increasing number of music venues have begun adopting vertical screens for their live performances, a trend that raises significant questions about the compatibility of this format with the traditional dynamics of live music. While vertical video may succeed in the realm of social media and short-form digital content, its utility in the context of live music remains contentious.
Live music inherently demands a different approach to visual representation, one that complements the horizontal expanse of the stage. In this setting, the horizontal format not only serves as a canvas for visual storytelling but also plays a critical role in creating resonant images that enhance the performance. IMAG (image magnification) screens are a vital component of modern concerts, allowing audiences to engage more intimately with the performers, particularly in large venues. The horizontal screen, in particular, aligns with the cinematic compositional space necessary for these performances, offering a balanced visual narrative that matches the physical layout of the stage.
Horizontal stage direction defines most live performances
The core issue with 9:16 vertical screens in music venues is their inability to accommodate the horizontal stage direction that defines most live performances. Concerts are carefully planned, with meticulous attention to the disposition of the performers, the design of the set, the movement of lights, and the interplay of these elements with the music itself. The horizontal format, by offering a panoramic view, aligns naturally with human binocular vision and Gestalt principles of perception, both of which favor cohesive, wide-angle scenes over the fragmented and constrained visuals offered by vertical displays. These principles suggest that our brains are predisposed to interpret wider, more expansive images as complete and harmonious, thus enhancing the immersive quality of a live performance.
In my own experience with vertical screens at a music festival, these theoretical concerns became a tangible reality. During my initial collaboration with a camera crew, the goal was to study and adapt the vertical format to accommodate a live music setting. However, our preliminary adjustments—such as focusing the visual weight toward the center bottom of the frame—revealed many limitations. This approach restricted the ability to create smooth transitions and undermined the compositional flow of the performance.
One performance in particular underscored the drawbacks of the vertical format the Artist took the stage with a contingent of thirty musicians and singers, spread across the entire width of the proscenium. The vertical screen format not only struggled to capture the scope and dynamism of the performance, but presented a disjointed and narrow view that failed to convey the true energy and depth of the event. Instead of the sweeping, immersive experience that horizontal IMAG screens traditionally provide, the vertical format resulted in a fragmented visual narrative that ultimately detracted from the audience's engagement with the performance.
This brings us to a broader consideration of visual storytelling in the context of live music. The horizontal frame is integral to established compositional techniques, including the Rule of Thirds, which guide the viewer’s eye and create a sense of balance and cohesion within the image. These principles have long been the foundation of effective visual narratives in both photography and cinema. When vertical screens are forced onto a horizontal performance space, these principles are disrupted, leading to a disjointed visual experience that diminishes the overall impact of the live performance.
Given these insights, it is essential to critically examine the appropriateness of vertical screens in live music settings. While the 9:16 format has proven valuable in specific contexts—such as social media platforms where quick, attention-grabbing content is paramount—its application in music venues raises significant concerns about the visual and experiential integrity of the performance. Should we continue to force this format into spaces where it is misaligned with the inherent demands of the medium?
In contrast, the horizontal format is not merely a matter of preference; it is a necessary tool for capturing the full scope of live performances. By providing a wider visual field, it allows for a more immersive and resonant experience that honors the artistry of the musicians, stage designers, and lighting engineers. These technical aspects are not secondary to the music but are integral to the overall impact of a live show. As the digital world continues to evolve, it is critical that we preserve spaces where traditional formats can thrive, ensuring that artistry and technical excellence are not compromised by trends driven primarily by convenience.
The rise of vertical screens in music venues presents a challenge to the future of live performance. This trend calls for further investigation: How can we balance the utility of new formats with the preservation of established visual principles? Is there a way to innovate within the horizontal format while still embracing the evolving nature of digital media? These questions remain open for exploration, but one thing is clear—live music deserves to be seen in its full glory, with visuals that match the energy, scale, and artistry of the performance. For now, only the horizontal format can truly deliver that experience.
