 The idea originated in 1997 when Erik Minkkinen, an electronic artist from Paris, streamed a live concert from his closet over the internet to three listeners in Japan.The concept led to a decentralized organization known as "le placard" ("the Cupboard"), which allowed anybody to establish a streaming or listening room.The first headphone concert taking place in front of a live audience took place March 17, 1999, at Trees in Dallas, Texas.