The phenomenon of sharing virtual music relates to a few different sociological concepts. People who contribute to Social Media Challenges or write music expressing their thoughts and ideas are members of lifestyle enclaves or taste publics. These groups consist of people who share similar artistic, recreational, or intellectual interests. Music creates lifestyle enclaves and taste publics because people with similar music taste can congregate and connect over their love of a certain kind of music. They unite over a common interest and can create friendships and connections with people because of their mutual love of music.
Virtual music also relates to the ideas of idiocultures and third spaces. An idioculture is defined as “customs, practices, and values expressed in a particular place by the people who interact there.” Sharing virtual music acts as an idioculture because people have certain practices such as participating in social media challenges or recording videos of themselves singing or playing an instrument. They have a shared value of using music as a form of self-expression as well as a tool to connect with other people. Virtual music also relates to the idea of a third space: “informal public places where people come together regularly for conversation and camaraderie when not at work or home.” In normal circumstances, a musical third space could be a concert or a music festival where people interact and talk about music. However, during this time of social distancing, the Internet and social media platforms have become third spaces where people share music. For example, Tik Tok has provided a space where people can post videos of themselves to share their content. Instagram allows people to post their favorite songs and artists. Even though social media platforms are not physical spaces, they still qualify as third spaces because people can comment on each others posts and interact with each other as they bond over a common love of music.