Shift in Late-Night Music Performances and Emerging Alternatives

The closure of CBS’s The Late Show With Stephen Colbert marked a significant loss for artists seeking exposure through late-night TV. Historically, these shows served as unique platforms for musicians to reach new audiences. Notable examples include Chappell Roan’s appearance on The Late Show and The Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show. Despite the potential boost from such performances, the landscape has changed. When James Corden exited CBS’s The Late Late Show, its performance space vanished. Meanwhile, NBC’s Late Night With Seth Meyers reduced live music, and ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! limited performances. The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon remains the consistent platform for live performances.

For emerging artists, such shows still offer immense value, creating hope that online programming will provide alternative opportunities. A prime example is seen with Future Islands. Their March 2014 performance on Late Show with David Letterman catapulted them from underground status to viral sensation. This appearance led to festival invitations and expanded exposure.

The scarcity of late-night slots is particularly challenging for independent musicians. CBS, NBC, and ABC representatives were unavailable for comments on these changes. Chloë Walsh from The Oriel emphasizes the role of music bookers behind the scenes, highlighting their dual tasks of booking big names and championing emerging artists.

“But we’ve seen other bands have TikTok viral hits and stuff like that.”

Examples abound on platforms like TikTok, where artists succeed with viral content. Gigi Perez gained fame through her hit “Sailor Song.” Malcolm Todd found similar success, landing a deal with Columbia Records. Indie band Beach Bunny’s song “Prom Queen” experienced viral popularity, leading to appearances on Kimmel and Fallon. Even legacy acts like Weezer are rediscovered through viral trends.

The shift towards short-form content signifies a changing media landscape. Beach Bunny’s Lili Trifilio expresses concern over this trend. She notes the crucial role late-night shows play in reaching new fans and laments the reliance on artists to self-advertise.

Young creators are redefining traditional formats, offering hope for music exposure. “Track Star,” an online music trivia series, and the YouTube show “Outside Tonight” by Julian Shapiro-Barnum provide alternative platforms. Shapiro-Barnum’s approach takes performances outdoors, focusing on independent artists.

Shapiro-Barnum notes,

“There was no version of the show that didn’t have music.”

Performances during the first episode featured Beach Bunny, exemplifying a movement towards reviving the importance of music in this era.

Live performances primarily offer exposure rather than direct sales. According to Walsh, these events can lead to opportunities in touring and radio playlists. Despite changes, for many, scoring a late-night TV performance remains a pinnacle achievement, especially for international artists.