MTV to launch “MTV Unplugged at Home”

MTV is the latest to shift to live streaming performances amidst the coronavirus crisis with "MTV Unplugged at Home," to start streaming today, April 3.

The show's statement describes the move as "Reimagining the beloved music series as a multi-platform digital experience, the new mini-concert series will feature stripped-down, acoustic sets from artists performing their greatest hits, enabling music enthusiasts to find comfort in their new realities alongside fellow fans."

Moreover, the statement also said that "In addition to the roster of global artists, MTV's international channels will feature performances by local acts in their respective countries around the world."

Canadian singer-songwriter Alessia Cara is set to be the first performer on its launch today, April 3, at 12:00P.M. ET. The "Scars To Your Face" and "Here" artist will most likely perform in her home or studio in an intimate performance to be streamed all over the world.

Other artists set to perform on "MTV Unplugged at Home" includes Melissa Etheridge, Jewel, Shaggy, CNCO, Bazzi, Monsta X, and Finneas. The new MTV Unplugged will be available for viewers on MTV's official YouTube, Twitter, and Instagram accounts.

Shelter-in-place, Concerts-in-place

Since the outbreak of the highly contagious coronavirus, a lot of global events and festivals have been forced to either postpone or cancel. The prestigious Cannes Film Festival was recently postponed from its original May schedule. In music events, a rising number of tours and concerts have been moved to another date. The Milwaukee-hosted Summerfest was also moved to September according to a March 23 statement from the organizers. EDM festivals organized by Insomniac Events, Beyond Wonderland and EDC Las Vegas, have also been postponed.

However, also due to the mounting cases of coronavirus in the country and the shelter-in-place orders in most states, a number of artists have also performed from the safety of their homes. While most performances were simply to accompany and uplift the spirits of millions of people staying at home, others have taken a step further and raised funds to support various causes, mostly in support of the first responders working at the front line against the outbreak.

Last March 29, Sir Elton John hosted the Fox and iHeart media collab "iHeart Living Room Concert for America," which featured performances from Alicia Keys, H.E.R, and Mariah Carey. The event, broadcast on Fox while being live streamed online, managed to raise 8 million dollars for their chosen charities.

The following day, March 30, it was James Corden's turn to take over the airwaves and the online channels with his "Homefest: The Late Late Show."Hosting the show from his garage, the late night show host and concert emcee transitioned act after act. Some of the artists in the Homefest included John Legend, Billie Eilish, Dua Lipa, and the KPop phenomenon BTS.

As of this writing, there have been more than one million confirmed cases worldwide, across 181 countries and territories. In the United States alone, there are close to 246,000 confirmed positives, resulting in more than 6,000 deaths. However, there are also a steadily increasing number of recoveries, currently at a little over 9,300, based on the Johns Hopkins University Coronavirus Resource Center.

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