{{Short description|Performance with virtual avatars}} {{Use mdy dates|date=October 2023}} A '''virtual concert''', also called '''V-concert''' or '''virtual live''', refers to a performance in which the performers are represented by virtual avatars. Virtual concerts can take place in real life, where digital representations of the performers are projected on stage, or within fully digital virtual worlds. Performers in virtual concerts may represent real individuals, but can also be entirely fictitious characters.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Davis |first1=Wes |date=April 9, 2024 |title=Miku fans wanted a hologram concert — they got a TV show instead |url=https://www.theverge.com/2024/4/9/24125233/miku-expo-2024-hologram-screen-live-performance-fans-disappointed |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240914143639/https://www.theverge.com/2024/4/9/24125233/miku-expo-2024-hologram-screen-live-performance-fans-disappointed |archive-date=14 September 2024 |access-date=17 January 2025 |work=The Verge |publisher=Vox Media}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=<!-- not stated --> |date=April 11, 2024 |title=J-Pop fans demand refunds after LED 'TV' replaces hologram |url=https://www.avinteractive.com/territories-news/us-canada/j-pop-fans-demand-refunds-after-led-tv-replaces-hologram-11-04-2024/ |access-date=17 January 2025 |work=AV Magazine}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Frank |first1=Allegra |date=31 May 2016 |title=What to expect at a Hatsune Miku concert |url=https://www.polygon.com/2016/5/31/11818548/hatsune-miku-concert-review-nyc-may-2016 |access-date=26 March 2022 |website=Polygon}}</ref>
Real-life virtual concerts are seen globally, for instance in South Korea where hologram performances by groups such as Girls' Generation have attracted thousands of fans, or in London with the ABBA Voyage concert residency selling over 1 million tickets in both 2023 and 2024.<ref name="allkpop">{{cite web |title=Girls' Generation holds 'virtual concert' with Naver Music |url=http://www.allkpop.com/article/2013/01/girls-generation-holds-virtual-concert-with-naver-music |access-date=23 July 2013 |work=Allkpop}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Tencer |first=Daniel |date=2025-10-01 |title=Abba Voyage generated $113m in 2024 as demand for virtual concert series stayed strong in third year |url=https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/abba-voyage-generated-113m-in-2024-as-demand-for-virtual-concert-series-stayed-strong-in-third-year/ |access-date=2025-11-14 |website=Music Business Worldwide |language=en-US}}</ref>
More recently, virtual concerts have taken place in video games. Games like ''Fortnite Battle Royale, Roblox'', and ''Minecraft'' have been used by artists as venues to reach wider audiences and offer interactive experiences for attendees.<ref name="fortnite1">{{cite web |title=Fortnite Becomes The COVID Concert Venue For Gen Z And Millennials {{!}} Magid |url=https://magid.com/mentions/courageous-thinking-spotted-fortnite-becomes-the-covid-concert-venue-for-gen-z-and-millennials/ |website=magid.com |date=28 April 2020 |access-date=19 September 2021 |archive-date=September 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210920212512/https://magid.com/mentions/courageous-thinking-spotted-fortnite-becomes-the-covid-concert-venue-for-gen-z-and-millennials/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="fortnite2">{{cite web |title=Fortnite Pandemic Rap Fest Shows Future of Gaming |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2020-05-07/coronaviru-fortnite-rap-concert-signals-astronomical-growth |website=Bloomberg.com |access-date=19 September 2021 |language=en |date=7 May 2020}}</ref>
Virtual concerts have received various reactions from audience members, with some arguing that they are financially motivated and take away from the traditional live concert experience.<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":4" /> Others raised ethical concerns with holograms of deceased artists.<ref name=":0" /> Those who enjoy virtual concerts appreciate its use of visual effects and accessibility.<ref name=":7" /><ref name=":8" />
== History ==
=== Early beginnings === Within the K-pop music industry, V-concerts were first introduced by several South Korean record labels such as SM Entertainment and YG Entertainment. In 1998, SM Entertainment attempted to kick start its first holographic debut with H.O.T. (a now-defunct boy band), but failed to do so.<ref>{{cite news|title=Can holograms replace real K-pop stars?|url=https://koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/culture/2013/07/135_139321.html|newspaper=The Korea Times|access-date=23 July 2013|quote=SM has been experimenting with the holographic performances for more than a decade, although its first attempt to make H.O.T., a now-defunct boy band, a holographic debut failed in 1998.}}</ref>
Since the 2000s, a combination of an old stage technique called Pepper’s Ghost and modern visual effects technologies has been used to place hologram-like portrayals of artists and animated characters on stage.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Dodson |first=Aaron |date= |title=The strange legacy of Tupac's 'hologram' lives on five years after its historic Coachella debut |url=https://andscape.com/features/the-strange-legacy-of-tupacs-hologram-after-coachella/ |access-date=2025-11-14 |website=Andscape |language=en-US}}</ref>
At the 2006 Grammy Awards, the virtual band Gorillaz performed live using holograms of their animated characters. Projected on stage using transparent screens, the holograms performed “Hung Up” alongside Madonna and “Feel Good Inc.” with De La Soul, blending real-life performers with virtual ones.<ref name=":1">{{Cite magazine |last=Kaufman |first=Gil |date=2017-03-09 |title=Tupac, Michael Jackson, Gorillaz & More: A History of the Musical Hologram |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/musical-holograms-history-dead-7717042/ |access-date=2025-11-14 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2020-12-10 |title=Gorillaz always had 'a touch of the apocalypse' |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-55086156 |access-date=2025-11-14 |language=en-GB}}</ref>
In 2009, Japanese virtual idol Hatsune Miku held her first live performance using semi-holographic technology developed by Crypton Future Media, in which the idol’s projected image was transported between three on-stage transparent screens as she performed. Since then, her concert technology has evolved to use layered screens and multiple projections to produce a 3-D effect.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Kärki |first1=Kimi |title=Researching Live Music |date=2021-11-17 |chapter=Vocaloid liveness? Hatsune Miku and the live production of Japanese virtual idol concerts |pages=127–140 |chapter-url=https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9780367405038-10/vocaloid-liveness-hatsune-miku-live-production-japanese-virtual-idol-concerts-kimi-k%C3%A4rki |publisher=Taylor & Francis |language=en |doi=10.4324/9780367405038-10 |isbn=978-0-367-40503-8 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250506180333/https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9780367405038-10/vocaloid-liveness-hatsune-miku-live-production-japanese-virtual-idol-concerts-kimi-k%C3%A4rki |archive-date=May 6, 2025 |chapter-url-access=subscription |access-date=November 15, 2025 |url-status=live }}</ref>
=== Live virtual concerts === In 2012, 15 years after his death, Tupac Shakur made an appearance at Coachella with Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg, using a 3-D image of Tupac and the Pepper’s Ghost effect, allowing the other performers to walk around him and seemingly interact with him. He was programmed to engage with the Coachella audience and reference the festival as he spoke, despite dying a few years before the festival was established in 1999.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Ganz |first=Jacob |date=2012-04-17 |title=How That Tupac Hologram At Coachella Worked |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/therecord/2012/04/17/150820261/how-that-tupac-hologram-at-coachella-worked |access-date=2025-11-14 |work=NPR |language=en}}</ref>
Within the same year across the world, South Korea's SM Entertainment hosted the S.M.ART Exhibition in August 2012 to showcase the various ways technology can be used in entertainment. The event included a live performance by SHINee featuring holographic 3-D images of the band members.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Herald |first=Korea |date=2012-07-23 |title=Digital art show celebrates K-pop |url=https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10368896 |access-date=2025-11-14 |website=The Korea Herald |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Kim |first=Hyung-eun |date=2012-08-09 |title=Fantasies come true at the high-tech S.M.ART exhibit |url=https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2012/08/09/artsDesign/Fantasies-come-true-at-the-hightech-SMART-exhibit/2957706.html |access-date=2025-11-14 |website=koreajoongangdaily.joins.com |language=en}}</ref>
On January 5, 2013, SM Entertainment also held a virtual concert in Gangnam District with life-sized images of Girls’ Generation projected onto the stage, attracting thousands of K-pop fans.<ref name="allkpop" /> The company discussed opening a V Theater, or virtual reality theatre for hologram performances, yet the theater never opened.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Lee |first=Kyong-hee |date=2013-02-18 |title=K-pop to go virtual with hologram theater |url=https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2013/02/18/artsDesign/Kpop-to-go-virtual-with-hologram-theater/2967316.html |access-date=2025-11-14 |website=koreajoongangdaily.joins.com |language=en}}</ref>
Meanwhile, after its first virtual concert featuring Psy's "Gangnam Style" took off at the COEX Convention & Exhibition Center in May 2013, the South Korean record label YG Entertainment announced that it plans to establish 20 venues for virtual performances of its K-pop singers by the year 2015 in North America, Europe, China, Hong Kong, Singapore and Thailand.<ref>{{cite web|title=Can holograms replace real K-pop stars?|date=16 July 2013 |url=https://koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/culture/2013/07/135_139321.html|access-date=23 July 2013|quote=NIK released its holographic images of Psy in World IT Show in COEX on May 23 before opening the exclusive theater for K-Pop Hologram-YG at Everland in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province this month. The Everland showcase will include the holographic performances of Psy’s “Gangnam Style” and “Gentleman” in July and add more holographic content from Big Bang and 2NE1 in September. After launching the Everland theater, it will establish some 20 venues for virtual performances of its K-pop singers in major theme parks or others in China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand and North American and Europe by 2015.}}</ref>
On July 20, 2013, YG Entertainment launched a permanent virtual concert at the Everland theme park in Yongin, South Korea. Under the slogan "''K-Pop Hologram: YG at Everland''", virtual performances include Psy's "Gentleman" and "Gangnam Style" as well as virtual concerts by Big Bang and 2NE1.<ref>{{cite web|title=YG Entertainment to launch K-Pop Hologram: YG at Everland tomorrow|url=http://sg.entertainment.yahoo.com/news/yg-entertainment-to-launch-k-pop-hologram-yg-055200162.html|publisher=Yahoo! Singapore|access-date=23 July 2013|archive-date=July 23, 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130723115354/http://sg.entertainment.yahoo.com/news/yg-entertainment-to-launch-k-pop-hologram-yg-055200162.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Back in the United States, Michael Jackson was “revived” for the 2014 Billboard Music Awards using the Pepper's Ghost effect once again.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Giardina |first=Carolyn |date=2014-05-22 |title=Why Billboard Music Awards' Michael Jackson Can't Be Called a 'Hologram' |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/michael-jackson-hologram-not-a-hologram-billboard-music-awards-6099053/ |access-date=2025-11-14 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":1" /> This production also included an impersonator, a scan of a 1997 mold of Jackson’s face, detailed costuming, special effects, and more to ensure accuracy of the Jackson's virtual counterpart.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The technology of Michael Jackson reborn - fxguide |url=https://www.fxguide.com/fxfeatured/the-technology-of-michael-jackson-reborn/ |access-date=2025-11-14 |website=fxguide |language=en-US}}</ref>
The same year, M.I.A. and Janelle Monáe used the effect to "appear" at each other’s respective concerts in New York and Los Angeles, yet they did not attempt to look realistic; rather, they were projected as technological “holograms,” splitting into two figures and reuniting throughout the performance. Since then, Jenni Rivera’s image was projected at a 2016 Day of the Dead event in Los Angeles, and Juan Gabriel was made a "hologram" in a 2017 performance shortly after his death.<ref name=":1" />
On May 27, 2022, the Swedish pop group ABBA began the ABBA Voyage, a virtual concert residency. The concerts feature virtual avatars (dubbed 'ABBAtars'), depicting the group as they appeared in 1979, and using vocals re-recorded by the group specifically for the show, accompanied by a live instrumental band on stage.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/a-virtual-abba-tour-is-set-to-take-place-in-2019-2139797|title=A 'virtual' ABBA tour is set to take place in 2019|work=NME|last=Reilly|first=Nick|date=12 September 2017|access-date=3 June 2024}}</ref> The concerts are held in ABBA Arena, a purpose-built venue near the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London.<ref>{{Cite web|title=ABBA Voyage: Swedish pop legends announce new album and virtual stage show|url=https://news.sky.com/story/abba-voyage-swedish-pop-legends-announce-new-album-and-hologram-stage-show-12397448|access-date=2024-05-03|website=Sky News}}</ref> The digital versions of ABBA have been created with motion capture and performance techniques with the four band members and the visual effects company Industrial Light & Magic as the company’s first foray into music.
On December 2, 2023, Kiss unveiled their digital avatars at the end of their final concert at Madison Square Garden in New York.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sun |first=Michael |date=2023-12-04 |title=Kiss unveil digital avatars at final ever show: 'We can be forever young and forever iconic' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/dec/04/kiss-digital-avatars-final-show-madison-square-garden-tour |access-date=2023-12-04 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> While the four members of Kiss had left the stage, the avatars performed a song on-screen. The performance ended with the text "A NEW ERA BEGINS". The avatars were also designed by Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) and used to announce a partnership with Pophouse Entertainment to produce a future virtual concert residency similar to ABBA Voyage.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dalugdug |first=Mandy |date=2023-12-04 |title=KISS to stage avatar show in partnership with Pophouse Entertainment, following the success of ABBA Voyage in London |url=https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/kiss-digital-avatars-pophouse-partnership/ |access-date=2025-11-14 |website=Music Business Worldwide |language=en-US}}</ref>
===In video games and virtual worlds=== [[File:Virtual concert in Second Life.png|thumb|upright=1.25|A concert performance in ''Second Life'']] Since the mid-2000s, virtual concerts have also been held in virtual worlds instead of physical locations. The first major band to perform live in a virtual world was Duran Duran, who performed in ''Second Life'' in 2006.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lombardi |first1=Candace |title=Duran Duran gets a Second Life |url=https://www.cnet.com/news/duran-duran-gets-a-second-life/ |website=CNET |access-date=20 September 2021 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |title=Second Life Rocks (Literally) |url=https://www.wired.com/2006/08/second-life-rocks-literally/ |access-date=2025-11-14 |magazine=Wired |language=en-US |issn=1059-1028}}</ref> Another early ''Second Life'' concert claiming to be the "world's first virtual concert" was the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra's 2007 performance, viewed by 100 randomly chosen ''Second Life'' users.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1563088/Second-Life-hosts-worlds-first-virtual-concert.html|title=Second Life hosts world's first virtual concert|last=Martin|first=Nicole|journal=Daily Telegraph|date=2007-09-13|access-date=2019-02-02|language=en-GB|issn=0307-1235}}</ref> In the same year, Phil Collins appeared in ''Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories'' performing his single "In The Air Tonight"; the concert is accessible as part of the game.<ref>{{cite web |title='GTA' Land Of Confusion: Why Is Phil Collins In 'Vice City Stories'? |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/1544516/gta-land-of-confusion-why-is-phil-collins-in-vice-city-stories/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141101044607/http://www.mtv.com/news/1544516/gta-land-of-confusion-why-is-phil-collins-in-vice-city-stories/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 1, 2014 |website=MTV News |access-date=20 September 2021 |language=en}}</ref>
In January 2019, a virtual music festival called Fire Festival (named as a play on the infamous 2017 Fyre Festival) was held on a dedicated ''Minecraft'' server. Organized by Canadian producer Max Schramp, the event was held in support of LGBT suicide prevention organization The Trevor Project.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Yopko |first1=Nick |title=Over 50 Artists are Playing a Virtual Music Festival Inside Minecraft Tonight |url=https://edm.com/news/minecraft-fire-festival |website=EDM.com - The Latest Electronic Dance Music News, Reviews & Artists |date=January 13, 2019 |access-date=19 September 2021 |language=en}}</ref> The following month, on February 2, EDM producer Marshmello held a ten-minute concert on the main map of ''Fortnite Battle Royale''. The concert was viewable to anyone playing the game during that time, and a special variant of its "Team Rumble" game mode with respawns enabled was provided for the event.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Slatt |first1=Nick |title=Fortnite's Marshmello concert was a bizarre and exciting glimpse of the future |url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/2/2/18208223/fortnite-epic-games-marshmello-concert-exciting-bizarre-future-music |website=The Verge |access-date=2 February 2019 |date=2 February 2019}}</ref>
Virtual concerts grew in popularity through 2020 and 2021 due to restrictions set by the COVID-19 pandemic that made it difficult to hold traditional concerts.<ref name="fortnite2"/> More concerts were held in ''Fortnite'' featuring artists including Travis Scott,<ref name="fortnite1"/> BTS,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Webster |first1=Andrew |title=BTS is coming to Fortnite |url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/9/21/21448831/bts-fortnite-party-royale-dynamite-music-video |website=The Verge |access-date=19 September 2021 |language=en |date=21 September 2020}}</ref> Diplo,<ref>{{cite web |title=Fortnite, surfing and virtual burning man: Diplo's pandemic year |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20210809-fortnite-surfing-and-virtual-burning-man-diplo-s-pandemic-year |website=France 24 |language=en |date=9 August 2021}}</ref> and Ariana Grande<ref>{{cite web |last1=Webster |first1=Andrew |title=Ariana Grande's Fortnite tour was a moment years in the making |url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/8/9/22616664/ariana-grande-fortnite-rift-tour-worldbuilding-storytelling |website=The Verge |access-date=19 September 2021 |language=en |date=9 August 2021}}</ref> as interactive experiences. ''Fortnite'' would continue to host virtual concerts on a smaller and more social-oriented side map called "Party Royale".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Webster |first1=Andrew |title=Fortnite is launching a concert series it hopes will become a 'tour stop' for artists |url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/9/8/21423004/fortnite-party-royale-concert-series-dominic-fike |website=The Verge |access-date=2 December 2020 |date=8 September 2020}}</ref> On April 16, 2020, American singer-songwriter Soccer Mommy collaborated with ''Club Penguin Rewritten'' fangame to host an in-game concert for her album ''Color Theory''.<ref>{{cite web |title=I was supposed to see Soccer Mommy live. Instead, I watched their concert on Club Penguin. |url=https://dbknews.com/2020/04/18/soccer-mommy-club-penguin-color-theory-concert/ |website=The Diamondback |access-date=19 September 2021 |date=18 April 2020}}</ref> ''Roblox'' hosted in-game concerts by Lil Nas X, Zara Larsson, and Twenty One Pilots, where the last concert allowed users to choose the setlist order and engage in a live chat with the band after the show.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stassen |first=Murray |date=2021-09-08 |title=Twenty One Pilots to perform 'pioneering interactive virtual concert' in Roblox |url=https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/twenty-one-pilots-to-perform-pioneering-interactive-virtual-concert-in-roblox/ |access-date=2025-11-14 |website=Music Business Worldwide |language=en-US}}</ref>
On the virtual world platform ''VRChat'', a number of groups have organized digital nightclubs and music festivals with live streamed performances (ranging from community members, to established producers such as Jean-Michel Jarre and Muzz), hosted in specially-designed worlds on the platform; many of these worlds are designed to mimic real-life venues, but some are designed as artistic experiences.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Busby |first=Mattha |title=60-Hour Dance Sessions, Simulated Sex, and Ketamine: Inside the World of Hardcore VR Ravers |url=https://www.wired.com/story/60-hour-dance-sessions-simulated-sex-and-ketamine-inside-the-world-of-hardcore-vr-ravers/ |access-date=2026-01-04 |magazine=Wired |language=en-US |issn=1059-1028}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ewing |first=Jerry |date=January 5, 2021 |title=Jean-Michel Jarre celebrates 75million viewers for NYE show |url=https://www.loudersound.com/news/jean-michel-jarre-celebrates-75million-viewers-for-nye-show |access-date=February 10, 2021 |website=Louder Sound}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-05-28 |title=Staying in to go out: exploring the VRChat club scene |url=https://www.nme.com/en_asia/features/gaming-features/exploring-vrchats-underground-nightclub-scene-2951486 |access-date=2021-10-12 |website=NME |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-11-27 |title=LONER Online Pushes the Boundaries of Gaming and Night Clubbing on VRChat [Interview] |url=https://www.youredm.com/2020/11/27/loner-online-pushes-the-boundaries-of-gaming-and-night-clubbing-on-vrchat-interview/ |access-date=2021-10-12 |website=Your EDM |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-12-27 |title=Finding Community, and Freedom, on the Virtual Dance Floor |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/27/arts/music/vrchat-virtual-reality-clubbing.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250914064654/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/27/arts/music/vrchat-virtual-reality-clubbing.html |archive-date=September 14, 2025 |access-date=2026-01-04 |work=The New York Times |language=en |url-status=live }}</ref>
Many virtual performances have begun experimenting with virtual and augmented reality. TheWave, a dedicated platform for virtual reality concerts, launched in 2017. Artists who have performed on the platform include Imogen Heap,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Deahl |first1=Dani |title=Inside Imogen Heap's cutting-edge VR concert |url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/8/23/17769166/imogen-heap-concert-oculus-vr-headset-thewavevr |website=The Verge |access-date=20 September 2021 |language=en |date=23 August 2018}}</ref> The Glitch Mob, and Kill the Noise; the service shut down in 2021, with the company stating that it was focusing on distributing its productions via "popular streaming platforms" instead.<ref>{{cite web |title=Wave to Close its VR Concert App |url=https://www.vrfocus.com/2021/01/wave-to-close-its-vr-concert-app/ |website=VRFocus |access-date=20 September 2021 |archive-date=September 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210918200324/https://www.vrfocus.com/2021/01/wave-to-close-its-vr-concert-app/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Lang |first=Ben |date=2021-01-15 |title=Wave Deprecates VR App to Focus on Broader Distribution of Its Virtual Performances |url=https://www.roadtovr.com/wave-shutters-vr-app-focus-broader-distribution/ |access-date=2023-02-01 |website=Road to VR |language=en-US}}</ref> In August 2020, Canadian singer the Weeknd collaborated with social media platform TikTok to hold an interactive augmented reality live stream titled "The Weeknd Experience" on various dates, with the first occurring on August 7, 2020.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Spangler |first1=Todd |title=The Weeknd Virtual Concert on TikTok Drew Over 2M Viewers, Raised $350,000 for Equal Justice Initiative |url=https://variety.com/2020/digital/news/the-weeknd-tiktok-virtual-concert-2-million-viewers-1234733104/ |website=Variety |access-date=19 September 2021 |date=12 August 2020}}</ref> Tomorrowland replaced its in-person festival with a virtual event known as "Tomorrowland Around the World", which featured filmed DJ performances composited into 3D stage environments rendered using Unreal Engine, and combined with simulated crowd noise and virtual spectators to create the footage for each performer.<ref>{{cite web |date=June 4, 2020 |title=Tomorrowland announces virtual festival will take place next month |url=https://djmag.com/content/tomorrowland-announces-virtual-festival-will-take-place-next-month |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200605102504/https://djmag.com/content/tomorrowland-announces-virtual-festival-will-take-place-next-month |archive-date=June 5, 2020 |access-date=June 5, 2020 |website=DJMag.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-08-13 |title=Tomorrowland's virtual festival set a new standard for digital events — here's how they did it |url=https://djmag.com/longreads/tomorrowlands-virtual-festival-set-new-standard-digital-events-%E2%80%94-heres-how-they-did-it |access-date=2025-07-16 |website=DJ Mag |language=en}}</ref>
On July 14, 2023, the company named AMAZE launched their VR concert application, featuring real footage of artists in virtual worlds created using Unreal Engine.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-07-14 |title=AmazeVR launches VR app with an exclusive concert from global superstar Zara Larsson |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/amazevr-launches-vr-app-exclusive-130000039.html |access-date=2023-11-24 |website=Yahoo Finance |language=en-US}}</ref> The app currently offers access to free songs, as well as the option to purchase full VR concerts featuring artists like Megan Thee Stallion, Upsahl, Ceraadi, Zara Larsson, and T-Pain. In 2024, SM Entertainment partnered with AMAZE to develop a studio in Seoul to produce VR concerts.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stassen |first=Murray |date=2022-07-13 |title=K-pop giant SM Entertainment forms JV with AmazeVR to produce immersive VR concerts for the metaverse |url=https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/k-pop-giant-sm-entertainment-forms-jv-with-amazevr-to-produce-immersive-vr-concerts-for-the-metaverse12/ |access-date=2025-11-14 |website=Music Business Worldwide |language=en-US}}</ref>
On August 25, 2023, ''Sky: Children of the Light'' held an in-game concert featuring Norwegian singer Aurora; it set a world record for the most concurrent users on a single server a metaverse concert, at 10,061 users.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Most users in a concert themed metaverse hangout |url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/753070-most-users-in-a-concert-themed-metaverse-hangout}}</ref>
On October 27, 2023, the startup named Sensorium premiered a show developed in collaboration with Carl Cox. The 30-minute show, titled 'Intermundium,' showcases tracks created, produced, and performed by Carl Cox, who is represented through his avatar taking center stage during the performance.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Watch Carl Cox's avatar perform in virtual reality with Sensorium Galaxy |url=https://mixmag.net/read/watch-carl-coxs-virtual-reality-set-with-sensorium-galaxy-news |access-date=2023-11-24 |website=Mixmag}}</ref> The show was made available in VR, VR-360 and 2D formats.
On December 2, 2023, ''Fortnite'' held an in-game event known as "The Big Bang" to launch the Chapter 5 update, with Eminem briefly making an appearance during an interactive rhythm game segment of the event that was used to unveil ''Fortnite Festival''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Roth |first=Emma |date=2023-11-22 |title=Eminem is coming to Fortnite's The Big Bang event |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/11/22/23972384/eminem-fortnite-og-chapter-4-finale |access-date=2026-01-04 |website=The Verge |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Stephan |first=Katcy |date=2023-12-11 |title=Eminem, LEGO and a Big Bang: How Fortnite Ushered in a New Era With an Epic Live Event |url=https://variety.com/2023/gaming/news/fortnite-big-bang-event-eminem-lego-rocket-racing-festival-1235832834/ |access-date=2026-01-04 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Kircher |first=Madison Malone |date=2023-12-03 |title=What Happened With Fortnite's Eminem Concert This Weekend? |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/03/style/fortnite-eminem-big-bang.html |access-date=2023-12-04 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
On January 17, 2026, Bruno Mars held a virtual concert on Roblox that drew over 12.8 million users and over 53 million views on related social media content. This event, staged within the "Steal a Brainrot" minigame, featured Mars' avatar and performed his new single, "I Just Might." During Mars' performance, fans were able to collect themed items a special "Brunito Marsito" character. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Lind |first=J. R. |date=2026-01-26 |title=Streaming News: Bruno Mars Sets Record With 12.8M 'Attending' Roblox Concert; UMG Launches Twitch Channel - Pollstar News |url=https://news.pollstar.com/2026/01/26/bruno-mars-sets-record-with-12-8m-attending-roblox-concert/ |access-date=2026-02-25 |website=news.pollstar.com |language=en-US}}</ref>
== Production costs == Production costs vary between types of virtual concerts, but specific cases provide examples of what funding these experiences may look like.
The 2012 ten-day S.M.ART Exhibition cost SE Entertainment 5.6 billion South Korean won, or $4.9 million to produce, while the 2013 virtual Girls' Generation concert cost around 200 million won, or over $180,000, per hologram.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" />
Tomorrowland's 2020 virtual concert, "Tomorrowland Around the World," cost around $10 million to produce including the costs of paying artists for the gig, develop the digital stages, and more.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Barrionuevo |first=Alexei |date=2020-10-27 |title=Tomorrowland's Pioneering Virtual Festival Struggled to Turn a Profit, But Plans to Return |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/tomorrowland-virtual-festival-struggled-profit-return/ |access-date=2025-11-14 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref>
The ABBA Voyage hologram show cost the band £140 million, or around $175 million to produce. To maximize income and recoup these costs through ticket sales, the show is scheduled to run least seven times a week until its London lease expires in 2026.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Smirke |first=Richard |date=2022-05-27 |title=ABBA Take Trip to the Future With Virtual Live Show: Inside the Pioneering Production |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/concerts/abba-reunite-london-voyage-virtual-live-show-premiere-photos-1235078240/ |access-date=2025-11-15 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref>
AmazeVR, the virtual reality concert production company, had raised about $30.8 million by early 2022 after securing $15 million in funding from different investment companies.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stassen |first=Murray |date=2022-01-12 |title=AmazeVR secures $15m funding for virtual concert tech that uses Unreal Engine-based visual effects |url=https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/amazevr-secures-15m-funding-for-virtual-concert-tech-that-uses-unreal-engine-based-visual-effects/ |access-date=2025-11-15 |website=Music Business Worldwide |language=en-US}}</ref>
== Reactions ==
=== Positive reactions === Some fans of virtual concerts appreciate the seemingly unlimited capabilities of virtual performances. A study on the motivations to attend virtual world concerts found that the most influential factor in attending such events is their unique capabilities, including immersion in imaginary worlds, artistic displays, close-ups of performers, and more.<ref name=":7">{{Cite journal |last1=Onderdijk |first1=Kelsey E. |last2=Bouckaert |first2=Lies |last3=Van Dyck |first3=Edith |last4=Maes |first4=Pieter-Jan |date=2023-06-05 |title=Concert experiences in virtual reality environments |journal=Virtual Reality |volume=27 |issue=3 |pages=2383–2396 |doi=10.1007/s10055-023-00814-y |issn=1359-4338 |pmc=10239717 |pmid=37360813}}</ref>
Others argued that virtual concerts that take place in virtual worlds eliminate the socioeconomic barriers that may emerge in live music settings, and expand accessibility to those who may not be able to physically attend shows, as users socialize via avatars.<ref name=":8">{{Cite journal |last=Çelik |first=Gizem |date=2023-04-30 |title=A New Field In Music Production: Metaverse Concerts |url=https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/pub/egemiadergisi/issue/77071/1230583 |journal=Ege Üniversitesi İletişim Fakültesi Medya ve İletişim Araştırmaları Hakemli E-Dergisi |language=en |volume=- |issue=12 |pages=4–24 |doi=10.56075/egemiadergisi.1230583 |issn=2636-8471}}</ref>
Meanwhile, some who reacted to ABBA Voyage saw the hologram performance as innovative and exciting. They admired the immortalization of ABBA through their holographic counterparts, and many fans were excited to see ABBA again for the first time since the 1970s.<ref name=":4">{{Cite journal |last1=Matthews |first1=Justin |last2=Nairn |first2=Angelique |date=2023-05-27 |title=Holographic ABBA: Examining Fan Responses to ABBA's Virtual "Live" Concert |url=https://doi.org/10.1080/03007766.2023.2208048 |journal=Popular Music and Society |volume=46 |issue=3 |pages=282–303 |doi=10.1080/03007766.2023.2208048 |issn=0300-7766|url-access=subscription }}</ref>
Andrew Webster writing for ''The Verge,'' described Travis Scott's Fortnite concert as "surreal and spectacular"<ref>{{Cite web |last=Webster |first=Andrew |date=2020-04-24 |title=Travis Scott’s first Fortnite concert was surreal and spectacular |url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/4/23/21233637/travis-scott-fortnite-concert-astronomical-live-report |access-date=2026-04-28 |website=The Verge |language=en-US}}</ref>, showing how virtual concerts can go beyond traditional concerts and will only become more immersive in the future.
=== Negative reactions === Other ABBA fans, however, were not as pleased with the ABBA hologram show. Some argued that the 'ABBAtars' appeared disturbing and eerie, citing the uncanny valley effect. Others saw the show as inauthentic without human performers and motivated by financial gain.<ref name=":4" />
Viewers of Tupac’s 2012 hologram performance at during Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg's Coachella set raised ethical concerns regarding the revival of deceased artists for performances. Some were uncomfortable that the hologram addressed Coachella directly, as Tupac had died years before it existed, and believed it exploited his image. Others thought it was scary, while some were confused by its realistic quality and questioned whether or not he was alive.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Scott |first=Cathy |title=Rapper Tupac Shakur's Digital Resurrection Gets Mixed Reviews |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/crime/2012/04/18/rapper-tupac-shakurs-digital-resurrection-gets-mixed-reviews/ |access-date=2025-11-25 |work=Forbes |language=en}}</ref>
A critique of video game concerts argued that in-game concert experiences are purely driven by commercial incentives, as the concerts drive users to spend more on in-game items related to the artist performing and increase exposure to the game. Additionally, they claimed that the opportunity to perform virtually is only offered to popular artists, putting smaller artists’ at a disadvantage.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Arditi |first=David |date=2025-03-01 |title=Video Game Concerts: Unending Consumption on Video Game Platforms |journal=Critical Sociology |language=EN |volume=51 |issue=2 |pages=319–334 |doi=10.1177/08969205241229064 |issn=0896-9205|doi-access=free }}</ref>
Virtual concerts have also been criticized by K-pop fans because singers do not appear in person and are only electronically projected onto a screen. Some claim that V-concerts could possibly endanger the quality of live music.<ref name=":6">{{cite web|last=Siow|first=Shannon|title=The next big thing in Korea's music industry: Holograms|url=http://asia.cnet.com/the-next-big-thing-in-koreas-music-industry-holograms-62221848.htm?src=twt|website=CNET|access-date=23 July 2013|archive-date=July 25, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130725050933/http://asia.cnet.com/the-next-big-thing-in-koreas-music-industry-holograms-62221848.htm?src=twt|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Marc Hogan writing for ''Pitchfork,'' noted limitations of virtual concerts for smaller artists that are not represented or have less of a following. Hogan wrote about how virtual performances can cause "financial and creative challenges" for artists trying to break into the digital concert space.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hogan |first=Marc |date=2020-05-05 |title=Where Can Virtual Concerts Go After Travis Scott’s Fortnite Extravaganza? |url=https://pitchfork.com/thepitch/virtual-concerts-travis-scotts-fortnite-100-gecs-minecraft/ |access-date=2026-04-28 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US}}</ref>
== Legal requirements for hologram concerts == Multiple legal clearances are required to produce hologram V-concerts.
Hologram performances require clearance of copyrighted works by the artist to avoid copyright infringement. Choreography, videos, images, compositions, and sound recordings used in production must be licensed by the company developing the hologram. The compositions and recordings of each song used in the hologram’s performances must also be cleared for use by the copyright holder(s), which could be the artist, their estate, their record label, publisher, or others.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kingsley |first=Max |title=Singing Holograms: The Legal Landscape of Posthumous Holographic Performances {{!}} The Columbia Journal of Law & the Arts |url=https://journals.library.columbia.edu/index.php/lawandarts/announcement/view/700 |access-date=2025-11-25 |website=journals.library.columbia.edu}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Frankel |first=Paige |date=2021-01-25 |title=The King of Pop's 2014 Hologram Performance Was Legal – But This Wasn't a Green Light for All Postmortem Hologram Concerts: A Glimpse into the Various Intellectual Property Concerns Surrounding Hologram Performances |url=https://cardozoaelj.com/2021/01/25/the-king-of-pops-2014-hologram-performance-was-legal-but-this-wasnt-a-green-light-for-all-postmortem-hologram-concerts-a-glimpse-into-the-various-intellectual-property-con/ |access-date=2025-11-25 |website=Cardozo AELJ |language=en-US}}</ref>
Within the United States, personality rights grant individuals the exclusive right to control the use of their identity. In order to produce a hologram of an artist and profit from it, developers need access to the artist’s personality rights.<ref name=":5" />
For example, Kiss sold its song catalog, as well as its name, image, and likeness rights to Pophouse Entertainment for over $300 million as a step in developing a hologram show similar to ABBA Voyage. Now, Pophouse has the authority to use Kiss’s music and band identity to produce holograms and profit from their work.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dalugdug |first=Mandy |date=2024-04-04 |title=KISS sells song catalog, name and IP to Pophouse, company behind ABBA Voyage, in $300m deal |url=https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/kiss-sells-catalog-name-and-ip-to-pophouse-company-behind-abba-voyage-in-300m-deal/ |access-date=2025-11-25 |website=Music Business Worldwide |language=en-US}}</ref>
== See also == * 2.5D musical * Metaverse * Virtual band * Virtual event * Hologram * Pepper's ghost * Virtual reality
== References == <references/>{{K-pop}}
Category:Virtual avatars Category:Concerts Category:Virtual reality Category:Cyberpunk themes