After a dramatic, cinematic intro, Pittsburgh hardcore band Code Orange launches into the intense "Swallowing the Rabbit Whole" to open the release show of their new record, Underneath. The six-piece performs an intense set at the Roxian Theater, a large, moody concert hall where the band often plays. This time, however, the venue is empty, and Code Orange is not playing to anyone. Well, no one except the 13,000 viewers watching on Twitch.

Like many music artists, Code Orange suddenly had to cancel upcoming tour dates due to the global outbreak of the COVID-19 coronavirus. But instead of sitting back and doing nothing, the band got creative and put on an incredible performance, weaving cryptic pre-recorded footage with clever special effects and a complete live performance that made fans feel as if they were at the venue.

Code Orange's spectacular online performance is one of many examples of how creators have used platforms like Twitch to stay connected with fans in times of unprecedented crisis, and offers a glimpse into the future of entertainment.

Artists everywhere are turning to live streaming to find ways to perform for their fans now that large crowds are strictly forbidden due to safety precautions. These days, you can find John Legend singing on Instagram Live or Diplo dropping beats on Twitch.

One such artist is John Black, a singer-songwriter and producer from New York. He had been considering Twitch as a viable source of income for quite some time, but it was the global emergency that gave him the push.

"Before COVID-19 happened, my friend Kyle Cope brought the idea to me as an untapped resource where the music industry might be headed, with Spotify and others offering music for virtually free. I was frustrated at seeing my music streamed thousands of times per quarter and getting a check for something like $10.32 at the end."

"To my surprise," he continued, "the event that started the party turned out to be an international pandemic.

Black now streams almost nightly on his Twitch channel, performing a mix of original songs, cover songs, and fan requests to dozens of viewers each night. Not only does Black find fulfillment in his online performances, but he has also noted that online performances have important advantages over performing in person

, including the fact that he is able to perform in front of a larger audience, and he is able to perform in front of a larger audience than he would be able to in person.

"I love interacting with people live," he said. I get to perform covers they love, originals they've been requesting for years, and see their reactions and jokes come through in real time." And you don't have to go load up at a gloomy dive bar venue or wait awkwardly for the doors to open"

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The rise of online music performance is just one of several ways that live streaming platforms like Twitch and Mixer are keeping people more connected than ever in the wake of the global health pandemic.

According to StreamElements, a company that provides tools and services for streamers, among the thousands of popular channels on Twitch, YouTube, Facebook, and Mixer, the number of live stream viewers increased by more than 66% after the quarantine in Italy. StreamElements also notes that stream viewership in Australia increased by 20% over the same period. Globally, Twitch viewership increased 10%, while YouTube Gaming viewership increased 15% week-over-week during the week of March 14.

"As people become socially distant and isolated at home, they are spending more time online in live interactive media, which is the perfect antidote to the absence of (real life) interaction that many may feel," StreamElements CEO of StreamElements, Doron Nir.

NYU Game Center professor Robert Yang recently taught a class on live streaming on Twitch; with the 2020 NBA season suspended, the Phoenix Suns played a scheduled game virtually through NBA 2K20 and began streaming online. Pol Llorente, fitness trainer for Spanish soccer club Leganes, live streams daily workout sessions on Twitch so that the team and fans around the world can exercise together.

Classrooms, sports arenas, and gyms may all be empty right now, but thanks to live streaming, these professionals can keep working and stay connected with their students and fans.

"We have received inquiries from many organizations about streaming on Twitch as large events and experiences continue to be canceled due to concerns about COVID-19," said Sara Clemens, COO of Twitch, in a statement. twitch's COO Sarah Clemens said in a statement, "Wherever possible, we are working with these organizations to help make these experiences a reality."

While many people use Twitch and similar platforms as a stopgap solution to their inability to perform, teach, and create in person, streaming may one day become one of their main sources of income. The rise of live streaming in the wake of the current crisis shows that Twitch, Mixer, and YouTube are not just tools, but the future of entertainment.

"We encourage all entertainment industry and professionals to explore how their technology can transition to live streaming media," says Neil. Not only because it offers a potential outlet during this particular crisis, but because it is where live streaming entertainment is headed in the future."

Black plans to continue using Twitch when he is able to return to in-person performances and hopes to expand his live stream to showcase listening parties and client in-studio performances.

"Don't wait for this," Black replied when asked for advice for fellow creators around streaming." If we get through this whole thing, the whole landscape of the world will have changed and adapted to the streaming culture."

"If we can get through this whole thing, the whole world will have changed and adapted to the streaming culture.

Fortunately, live streaming is easier than ever these days; as we show in our guide on how to stream to Twitch, all you need for quality streaming from a PC or Mac is a decent microphone, a webcam, and some basic With the Twitch, YouTube, and Facebook apps, you can also stream live from your cell phone, or even from your PS4 or Xbox One.

These are just a few examples, but the important point is this. And no matter what you do for a living, Twitch may one day become your primary venue for activity.