Code Orange Leads The Charge For Heavy Music Livestream Concerts

Given the current world crisis around COVID-19, it only makes sense to see more artists and entertainment outlets shifting towards virtual accessibility, i.e. livestreaming. Code Orange, the industrial-metalcore band from Pittsburg, PA, happened to be one of the first musical acts to jump on the livestream game amidst the global pandemic. In early March the band released their fourth studio album, Underneath, and of course, they had an ambitious spring U.S. tour planned in addition to an already sold-out album release show. Obviously all of these event have since been postponed/canceled, except for perhaps the album release show.

Immediately following the cancellations, Code Orange replaced their album release show in favor of a livestream concert, one that garnered over 13,000 concurrent viewers. Essentially, the band performed an hour long set in an empty Pittsburg venue, while still using their professional lighting, production, and top-notch sound. The energy and sheer brutality of Code Orange’s live performance was as present as ever, and one can only assume living room mosh-pits were raging across the country. In the days following, Code Orange’s album release event earned a fair amount publicity, and it has since sparked the band to continue forth with their livestreaming endeavors.

Starting today at 8pm ET, Code Orange is launching YOU AND YOU ALONE, their very own livestream series premiering on their Twitch channel. Code Orange stated that tonight’s spectacle is an improvised visual performance by band member Shade Balderose, which will have the rest of the band hanging out in the online chat during the event. In addition, the band is also releasing a limited run of merch to coincide with tonight’s episode. Apart from these details it’s unclear what the series has in store, or exactly how many ‘episodes’ or parts it will be, but overall it’s a brilliant move in the current trend of livestream concerts.

It truly seems Code Orange had an ambitious year in store, and given the unprecedented circumstance, the band is doing everything they can to make the best out of a terrible situation. And with the attention built off their initial livestream event, they’re format of a livestream series could tout the next evolution for livestream concerts, specifically in the era of the coronavirus.

While that remains to be seen, Underneath, the band’s latest album, is easily the band’s finest work to date and even one of the best metal records of the year (thus far). Obviously it’s unfortunate that Code Orange can’t perform their new material inside a packed venue, however, their unrelenting drive is what continues to set them apart from most bands in their genre.