WeGlow Crowdfunds A Concert App Combining A Light Show With Band To Fan Communication

WeGlow is a smartphone app currently raising funds on Kickstarter that combines a smartphone light show with a concert dashboard for before and after the show. The concert dashboard allows fans to get info about the venue and allows bands to connect with fans before and after the show with such offerings as contests, playlists and merch discounts. During the show WeGlow provides a light show that can be programmed to coordinate with the stage lighting.

WeGlow is an interesting app that possibly combines too many options in a “something for everybody” approach. That makes enticing media and supporters with an easy to grasp pitch a bit difficult.

WeGlow Kickstarter Pitch

Mike Wilson is the man behind WeGlow. He has a diverse business background and also plays in a band called Brik.

His WeGlow app combines a smartphone screen-based light show with a concert dashboard that addresses three phases of a concert also discussed in the above video:

Pre-Glow

Provides updated info such as when each band will start and how long it will take to get refreshments or make it through the bathroom line. Bands can send messages to fans about the evening’s show and also run games and contests.

WeGlow

During the show the app provides a pre-programmed light show that can be coordinated with the stage lighting. This seems to be the original impetus for the app and is based on an earlier version called Crowd Lights.

After Glow

Bands can send follow-up messages to fans, provide such digital mementos as the night’s playlist and offer merch discounts for last minute purchases.

When you describe the app based on the flow of the concert, it does have a certain logic. However, the text of the Kickstarter pitch seems to focus on the idea that it’s hard to get people to download a light show app so let’s give them some other things to make it compelling enough that during the concert they’ll have the app for the light show aspect.

This raises the question that if the truly compelling aspects are the pre and post-show features, then why not focus on them? It also raises questions about actual smartphone use at shows that often involves recording the show, checking messages, texting friends, etc. Those activities all conflict with a light show app but fit the before and after features.

On the other hand, a variety of companies have attempted to address the information and communication possibilities around live shows but I haven’t been hearing about audience participation apps with such features as a light show.

I think it would be a lot easier to promote either an app for information and communication from beginning to end or an app for audience participation during the show that adds additional options beyond a light show.  Either route has potential but the first has more competition though no one seems to have truly captured the space.

The second is intriguing if you focus on the concept not of a light show app but of an audience participation app that might feature a light show for one song and have other features for other songs. These might includes lyrics for a sing along or special filters for unique photo opps. Such an approach could then be designed to blend with the already existing behaviors of smartphone users at concerts.

Please do check out the above video, consider sponsoring this unique project and spread the word to those who you think would appreciate such an app.

Hypebot Senior Contributor Clyde Smith (@fluxresearch) maintains a business writing hub at Flux Research and blogs at Crowdfunding For Musicians. To suggest topics for Hypebot, contact: clyde(at)fluxresearch(dot)com.