Embracing Web3: Megadeth's Journey from First Band Website to Launching NFT Collection
Summary:
Throughout the past year, creators, including musicians and artists, have utilized newly-developed Web3 tools to connect more effectively with their respective communities. High-profile examples include Justin Bieber's 2015 hit song "Company" becoming an NFT and the blockchain release of a rare Michael Jackson track. In particular, US thrash metal band Megadeth has launched its own NFT collection as part of their effort to strengthen its fan community. The band's digital team also plans further development in the Web3 space, aiming to sustain an extensive, cohesive online community that outlives the band itself and makes fans feel as part of a bigger entity.
In the past year, the Web3 arena has become a hub for artists, musicians, and creators who leverage its tools to connect with their communities and retain more control over their creations. This trend was symbolized by Justin Bieber's 2015 hit song "Company" transforming into an NFT for fan royalties, and the release of Michael Jackson's long-lost demo "Big Boy" as a digital vinyl on the blockchain. Near the year's end, US thrash metal band Megadeth unveiled its NFT collection, intending to bolster its community both physically and virtually. Megadeth, a part of the influential "big four" American thrash metal bands alongside Metallica, Anthrax, and Slayer, boasts millions of fans worldwide, including in their online community.
Cointelegraph had a chat with Megadeth Digital team members Isabel Caballero, Jillian Valentin, and Alex Viruet who've been striving to build their online community with Web3 tools. According to Valentin, Dave Mustaine, the band's lead vocalist and guitarist, is the catalyst behind Megadeth's foray into Web3. Mustaine is known to keep up with the current times, driven by his desire to strengthen all areas of the band's legacy. This was evident when he established a website during the internet's infancy, going against the grain.
In a groundbreaking move, Megadeth launched the first-ever band website in the mid-'90s to promote an upcoming album. The website, referred to as Megadeth Arizona, was conceived as a virtual town where fans could interact, access the latest news about the band, listen to album samples, and get updates on tour dates. This concept resonates with many Web3 enthusiasts, now equipped with advanced tools to build upon these ideas.
Caballero stated that Mustaine was always keen on integrating digital elements into the band and its audience's life. If he finds something beneficial for his fans, he ensures it becomes a part of their experience.
The main goal for them is to construct an ultimate community that outlives the band, where the fans feel like a part of a bigger entity rather than just a fan club - a family, essentially. The Megadeth Digital team asserted that their Web3 strategies have successfully engaged fans from older generations, unfamiliar with even basic elements like a digital wallet. The team expressed their astonishment at the growth. The team saw fans grouping in online spaces, giving back and assisting one another—donating ETH and NFTs, teaching each other how to interact in this space.
Caballero made a comparison with a mosh pit, a place that looks aggressive but stands as a community that helps you out when you stumble. The band's team and the community echo this sentiment as they step into digital spaces with Web3. The team promised to educate and guide the fans through the disruption, always ready to assist those who stumble along the way.
As per the team, their NFT collection, introduced in late December, is just the first step battling towards the future of the metal community.
Published At
1/19/2024 8:00:00 PM
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