bee.hind the scenes 29. August 2025

#concert experience design

The audience's interest in the artists on stage is growing - who are these people, how did they conceive the concert, how do they perceive it, what is their life like on stage, what motivates them? Yet, in the classical music scene, there often remains a great reverence and distance between audience and artists - the concert space with its stage and seated audience area set apart contributes to this. A digital exchange platform can create closeness between these two groups before and after the concert.

Here is how it works

Instead of silent applause and absent idols, there are lively encounters and fascinating insights:

• The artist’s phone: each artist receives a phone for exclusive backstage messages and spontaneous questions. A team member accompanies the artists before and after the concert, records short interviews as voice messages, shares exclusive backstage glimpses in brief videos, and enables the audience, concert team, and artists to engage in a direct chat exchange.

• QR stands in the foyer: simply scan and join the exchange group (e.g. WhatsApp or Signal)!

• Clear rules, relaxed atmosphere: the key rules are posted in the group - fostering trust and keeping communication lively yet respectful.

• Self-deleting messages: the digital dialogue gets updated and disappears on a daily basis - like a festival happening that slowly fades to make room for new encounters.

Tips for a great backstage feeling

To make the experience even more personal, try these ideas:

• Ask heartfelt questions: What have you always wanted to ask the artists? Personal or funny questions spark dynamic conversations and reveal backstage secrets.

• Collect fun facts: musicians share small details about their everyday life so the audience finds points of connection.

• Start polls: a quick vote on favorite pieces or snack choices lightens the mood and lets everyone be part of the experience.

• Short backstage videos or voice messages: authentic insights are priceless - whether it’s stage fright, moments of joy, or little mishaps behind the scenes.

This Concert Experience Design was developed as part of the residency program Inside Artists of the Beethovenfest Bonn, funded by the Liz Mohn Foundation - in collaboration with the program team of the renowned classical festival and other artists.