Leading Artists Unite to Combat Coronavirus with Data-Driven 'Sofa Sets'

Leading recording artists from around the world are coming together to combine the art of music with the power of data to help slow the spread of coronavirus and support those most economically impacted.

Aurora, Jade Bird, mxmtoon, Mansionair, Hamilton Leithauser and Taylor Janzen will take part in an innovative live-streamed music festival that will see them play exclusive ‘sofa sets’ from the safety of their own living rooms. The goal is to educate audiences to the importance of social distancing and empower them with the real-time data they need to help slow the spread of COVID-19.

Brought to you by creative, data and technology agency Wunderman Thompson and independent record label Glassnote Records, Sofa Sets will use viewers’ location data to create a real-time visualisation map illustrating the number of hospital stays prevented, ventilators freed up and lives saved as viewers stay home to watch the musicians perform for fans.

Audiences will be able to compare live ‘coronavirus curves’ from locations around the world to see how the social distancing efforts being undertaken by communities is helping reduce the spread of COVID-19. They will also be able to share their individual contribution to flattening the curve in their specific city and invite friends to join each Sofa Set via tailored calendar invites.

Live-streamed via sofasets.live this Friday between 3pm and 6pm EST, Sofa Sets will give viewers the chance to donate directly to charities in their area supporting those most economically impacted by the disease.

Shane Atchison, CEO, Wunderman Thompson, North America, said: “During these challenging times, we all need to be coming together to improve the lives of everyone around us. I’m proud of our team - creatives, technologists, strategists - who are working hard to make a difference. If we can help highlight the importance of social distancing and reduce the spread of coronavirus by even the smallest amount, we will be proud and humbled to have played a part.”

Daniel Glass, president and founder of Glassnote Records, said: "We are all, rightfully, afraid to interact with our friends, our neighbours, our coworkers, and even our families. But at the same time, we must connect with one another and strengthen our communities - even when we are physically apart. We hope that through the Sofa Sets performances, communities will bond and music will demonstrate the importance of positivity. I frankly hope that our data visualisations scare you, but I urge everyone to channel that fear and anxiety toward building bridges across the divide. We can get through this, together.”

Sofa Sets is powered by Salesforce, the global leader in CRM. Jon Suarez-Davis, SVP, marketing strategy and innovation, Salesforce, said: “We are excited to collaborate with Wunderman Thompson to enable people to give back to their communities and connect with each other through music during this difficult time. Now is the time where we all need to band together for a common cause and proud to see our technology play a role in bringing this festival to life.”