Skip to content
Riot Fest
Tickets
Search
  • 2026 EARLY BIRD TICKETS
  • 2026 Festival
    • Tickets
    • Lineup
    • Payment Plans
    • Photos
    • FAQ
    • Hotels
    • Lockers
  • Merch
  • Upcoming Shows
  • Community
    • Beyond the Fest
    • Events
    • Community Tickets
    • Local Hiring
    • Park Cleanups
    • Vendor Workshop
    • Community Update
  • Search
You Had To Be There: The Absentee Concertgoer Experience Is Real

You Had To Be There: The Absentee Concertgoer Experience Is Real

September 30, 2016 (June 6, 2017) // Riot Fest

absentee-concert-goer
Did you see the episode of Portlandia with the ‘You Had To Be There: The Absentee Concertgoer Experience’? The one where you could go to a festival using a drone and never have to leave your couch? Well Citi, Live Nation and NextVR want to make that joke a reality. Today they announced they will be producing ten live ‘virtual reality concerts’.

Not many details have been announced yet, but they have promised the “world’s biggest artists” and “backstage” experiences, so you know it must be good. Now you can literally watch live music through your phone. It’s almost like you’re not there at all.

“We want to push the boundaries of the very meaning of access beyond attendance and as technology evolves, it’s allowing us to do so,” said Citi managing director Jennifer Breithaupt in a statement. “We are thrilled to be announcing this new initiative with Live Nation and NextVR that will offer ‘front-row’ and behind-the-scenes VR concert experiences for millions of fans.”

Unfortunately, unlike the Portlandia episode, there won’t be drones and we have not been able to confirm if you will get a signed certificate of virtual attendance.

The Related Rabbit Hole

Live Nation Rolls Out TSA Style Pre-Screening System Carrie Brownstein Adapting ‘Hunger Makes Me a Modern Girl’ Into A TV Pilot Let’s Get Real With Cypress Hill’s B-Real
About The Author
Riot Fest

Punk Rock (& more) Music Fest | I'm sorry we didn't book the exact bands you wanted, in the exact order you wanted, in the exact location you wanted, for free. September 18-20, 2026.

Posted in Chicago, Music, NewsTagged Live Nation, portlandia, the absentee concertgoer experience, you had to be there

Post navigation

  Previous PostNext Post 
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • TikTok
  • YouTube
  • Facebook
  • Spotify
Riot Fest Tickets
Upcoming Shows Playlist
Riot Fest Presents Shows
Dec. 16, 2025
Cobra Lounge
Shai Hulud

Shai Hulud

Holder

Death Pose

Cult Fiend

Tickets(Opens in new window).
Shai Hulud
Dec. 17, 2025
Cobra Lounge
Chokecherry

Chokecherry

The Sewing Club

Tickets(Opens in new window).
Chokecherry
Dec. 20, 2025
Bottom Lounge
TRSH

TRSH

Thoughts On Bowling

Kerosene Heights

Arcadia Grey

Tickets(Opens in new window).
TRSH
Dec. 20, 2025
Cobra Lounge
Rematch

Rematch

When The Sun Sets

5ever

Tickets(Opens in new window).
Rematch
Jan. 9, 2026
The Salt Shed
State Champs – Celebrating 10 Years of “Around The World And Back”

State Champs – Celebrating 10 Years of “Around The World And Back”

Real Friends

Harrison Gordon

Driveways

Tickets(Opens in new window).
State Champs – Celebrating 10 Years of “Around The World And Back”
Jan. 9, 2026
Cobra Lounge
All Your Friends

All Your Friends

Tickets(Opens in new window).
All Your Friends

MORE SHOWS

Greatest Hits


  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • TikTok
  • YouTube
  • Facebook
  • Spotify
  • Mail

NEWSLETTER — FAQ — CONTACT — HISTORY

InstagramTwitterYouTubeTikTokFacebook

Copyright © 2025 Riot Fest Corporation. Privacy Policy.

Search for:

Send me emails so I don’t have to go to your website anymore.