How Justin Bieber’s New Year’s Beverly Hilton concert came together

Justin Bieber’s New Year’s Eve concert was an appointment for his millions of fans, not only because it was available to everyone at a reasonable $ 25 fee (free for T-Mobile customers) on a night when a large portion of the world remains locked up because of the incessant coronavirus pandemic, but also because the engagement represented its first show in three years. To top it off, the show (a collaboration with Moment House and VenewLive) would be held in a secret location and be a visual spectacle powered by T-Mobile’s 5G technology.

The night did not go completely without problems. Logging on to the streaming platform VenewLive has been problematic for many Beliebers who have turned to social media to complain about problems accessing the concert (example tweet: “We did not even drop a NYC ball because Venewlive did it early”). Although the company has hosted virtual concerts by BTS in the past (‘Map of the Soul ON: E’, which selected 993,000 tickets, among others), Blackpink and AJR have, among other things, delayed the confusing registration process required of each user with at least 30 minutes. In fact, when the clock got closer to 20:30 PT, it seemed as if the production might miss the New Year’s food from the east coast completely.

Despite the inventive bunch, Bieber fans found unauthorized streams on YouTube and Twitch, but the second-generation screen share was far from the 1080p multi-camera webcast on the official platform. Fortunately, VenewLive solved its problems – the site crashed due to ‘too many people wanting to validate their tickets at the last minute’, it posted on Twitter (where it started the evening with less than 400 followers) at 20:10 PT .

In a statement released on January 1, VenewLive said: ‘The start of Justin’s action has been delayed to meet the unprecedented demand. The extraordinary number of tickets on the verge of being issued and sold was at an overall volume and rate that could surpass all concerts we have ever seen. “According to the company, demand is equal to more than 1.2 million T-Mobile customers.

At 20:45, once ‘inside’ the virtual show, it was finally possible to see the high quality production as far as Bieber’s performance was concerned. The most impressive: the multi-camera control that allows viewers to see additional corners from behind the stage and with a crane (see screenshot below).

To go inside means to be outside for the friends and family who have been invited to view the concert in person at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. The iconic building, which opened in 1955 and has been home to the Golden Globes since 1961, was designed in a V-shape by architect Welton Becket, who has almost all of its 500 plus rooms with a balcony and a view. The “stage” was in fact the roof of the ballroom, which also hosts the annual Clive Davis pre-Grammy party (it becomes virtual this year, Variety recently reported), which half of the rooms overlook.

Concertgoers were checked into individual rooms with a maximum number of people being strictly enforced (two or four, depending on the room size). No one is allowed to communicate with other guests in public spaces, and the hotel’s services were mostly closed, but T-Mobile generously afforded the bill for everyone present to receive a generous distribution that included dinner, dessert, wine and champagne included. Social media reports suggest that the west-facing balconies were really the best seats in the house, as it overlooked the lights, lasers, fireworks, fireworks and the 150 drones (Bieber’s initials, a cross ) showed. ) used throughout the 85-minute Bieber series, as well as the intricate choreography of his eight dancers.

The idea to use the Beverly Hilton as the venue for the New Year’s show comes from Bieber’s management team at SB Projects, in particular Jules Ferree, head of brand partnerships. Talk to Variety Prior to the main event, she pointed to a long-standing relationship with T-Mobile, Bieber’s touring partner for his upcoming 2021 trek (AEG is Bieber’s tour promoter and CAA his agent), which made the show possible. “They have a great bond with Justin and us and helped come up with some crazy ideas,” she says. The NYE plan only came together in late fall with support from SBP’s Scooter Braun and Allison Kaye. Ferree says: “To create an innovative, exciting way for fans to experience a Justin livestream that is anchored and differentiated by the location of the location and where we were able to do it on a large scale to reach as many people worldwide as possible. . “

While thinking worldwide, however, they acted locally. Los Angeles is currently the core of nuclear infections and safety was of paramount importance. Ferree says, ‘We followed all the local COVID-19 protocols and made sure everyone was tested’, in addition to the strict regulations related to accommodation.

By all accounts, Bieber had a personal interest in what the evening would look and sound like. “Justin worked so hard on this show,” Ferree adds. “He has been very involved every day since he was training, which was already in November. He wanted to perform, and it’s a great production. ”

Indeed, the series of 21 songs tested Bieber’s energy and vocal cords – after starting the song “Lonely”, Bieber asked to stop so he could drink water (“I’m literally going to die,” he said from the stage said) and drawn on many a heartstrings. The song ‘Holy’ was such a moment, because Bieber declared his love for wife Hailey, wherever she may lie around (Billie Eilish and her brother Finneas, who co-wrote ‘Lonely’, were also present). For his latest track, Bieber debuts a new song, ‘Anybody’, which officially dropped at midnight.

From idea to execution, Bieber’s New Year’s bow could not really be pulled off at any time other than COVID. Think about it: when is the high turnover Beverly Hilton on New Year’s Eve completely vacant? “It’s the silver lining, I think,” Ferree added. It felt like the right time to do it. And, to be honest, we all needed something to discuss this year. ”

Stellys:

All around me
Sorry
Second emotion
Forever
Boyfriend
Baby
I am the one / no brain
Love yourself
All that matters
where are you now
What do you mean?
Run up
Come around me
Get me
Nice
Usually
Holy
Intentions
Monster
Solitary
Anyone