An XR concert refers to an immersive, live event experience that is powered by augmented, virtual, and mixed reality (VR/AR/MR) technologies. The concert is typically a series of videos projected onto a large screen, creating the illusion that the viewer is in the middle of the action. There are also other forms of this type of performance, such as holograms, which are lifelike, three-dimensional projections.
XR concerts are live music performances filmed using unique 360-degree stereoscopic cameras edited together to create a fully immersive experience. Using VR headsets, viewers can feel as if they are attending the event in person with the artist in a much more immersive way compared with traditional concert footage.
Key Features of XR Concerts
XR concerts offer several key features that make them unique and appealing to music lovers, including:
- Fully immersive experience – One of the most appealing aspects of XR technologies is the fully immersive experience. Using a VR headset, viewers can feel as if they are right there in the room with the artist, getting up close and personal in a way that is impossible with traditional concert footage.
- Ability to choose your perspective – Traditional concert footage restricts the video footage to the director’s chosen angle, but with an XR concert, the user has the freedom to watch the performance from any angle with 360-degree stereoscopic video feeds.
- Heightened interactivity – Attendees are no longer passive observers, but can interact with the performance. For example, visitors might be able to choose which songs the artist performs next or even participate in the event itself, including from any distance from the performance.
- 360-degree view – XR concerts offer a 360-degree view of the performance, allowing fans to see the stage from any angle, since they are filmed with dozens of cameras. Unlike the traditional concert footage, which is usually filmed with just a few cameras, it enables a panoramic 360-view.
- Up close and personal with the artists – Another great feature of XR concerts is the up-close and personal experience. With traditional concerts, you are often seated far away from the stage and can only see the artists from a distance. With an XR concert, you can be right in the front row, getting an intimate look at the performance.
- High-quality audio and visuals – XR concerts offer high-definition, 4K audio and visuals compared to traditional concert footage so that fans can feel as if they are right in the middle of the action.
- Interactive elements and real-time updates – It often features interactive elements, such as changing the view or focusing on different parts of the stage. Also, thanks to the live nature of XR concerts, fans can enjoy real-time updates on what’s happening on stage. XR concerts often feature multiple stages, so fans can choose which set they want to watch at any given time.
5 XR Concerts That “Broke the Internet”
Here are examples of previous XR events, which also include Muse, Justin Bieber, Dave Guetta, and Steve Aoki:
- The South Korean boy band BTS made history when they became the first K-pop group to perform at an XR concert. The concert was a hit with fans, who praised the immersive experience and high-quality visuals.
- The Weeknd’s XR experience, filmed at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, was viewed by over 2 million people within 24 hours of its release.
- Billie Eilish’s XR concert, filmed at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California, was viewed by over 3 million people within 48 hours of its release.
- Metallica’s XR concert, which was filmed at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, was viewed by over 4 million people within 72 hours of its release.
- Travis Scott’s XR concert, filmed at the Astroworld Festival in Houston, Texas, was viewed by over 5 million people within 96 hours of its release.
Top Platforms in this Space
Here are eight platforms that artists and music lovers can join to attend XR concerts:
- MelodyVR is one of the leading platforms in the space, having filmed over 250 events. It currently has partnerships with major record labels such as Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, and Warner Music Group.
- Viu is a Hong Kong-based XR platform that offers a library of over 1,000 concerts. The company has collaborated with major music festivals such as Coachella and Ultra Music Festival.
- NextVR is one of the leading platforms in the space, having filmed over 500 events. The company works with most of the major leagues such as the NBA, NHL, and NFL.
- VeeR is a Beijing-based VR/360 content platform with a massive library of 10,000+ XR concerts. It has partnered with music festivals such as Tomorrowland and EDC continually add to this collection.
- Meta Platforms’ Horizon Venues is a service that offers a library of over 100 concerts. The newly-rebranded Metaverse firm partners with major music festivals such as Lollapalooza and Austin City Limits, and provides live concerts and other experiences.
- Wave has a library of over 500 concerts and partners with major music festivals such as SXSW and Burning Man. It recently debuted a groundbreaking 20-minute concert for pop icon Justin Bieber.
- Fulbright is an XR platform that offers a library of over 1,000 concerts and has inked partnerships with major music festivals such as Bonnaroo and Governors Ball.
- Viral is an XR platform that offers a library of over 200 concerts and works with music festivals such as Glastonbury and Reading & Leeds.
The Bottom Line
With their fully immersive experience, 360-degree view, and high-quality audio and visuals, XR concerts offer fans an intimate, interactive, and unparalleled concert experience unlike any other. With continuous technology development, it is only a matter of time before XR concerts become the new norm.
