Well, hello to everyone out there in Acorn land, and I hope you have enjoyed your week since the last time we talked with each other. This week’s blog is about the future of music concerts and how they might change very soon.
Has there ever been a band that you wish you would have seen live, but because of some reason, you missed the show, and now the band has broken up, or, even worse, some of the band members have died? Maybe you were too young or not even born before the band’s breakup. In this case, you are out of luck, but you can always watch old recordings of the events.
Well welcome to 2023 folks, and you might have another opportunity to see those old musicians or groups after the use of the music industry’s new invention of hologram touring.
Hologram Technology
Concert hologram technology is cutting-edge that has been gaining popularity in recent years. It involves projecting three-dimensional images of performers on stage, which appear real and can interact with the audience. This technology has opened new possibilities for the entertainment industry, allowing for concerts and performances by artists no longer with us.
The idea of projecting images on stage is not new. The first experiments with holographic images date back to the 19th century. However, it was not until the 1990s that technology started to develop to the point where it could be used in entertainment. The first hologram performance was by Tupac Shakur at the Coachella Music Festival in 2012. Since then, other artists such as Michael Jackson, Roy Orbison, and Whitney Houston have also been resurrected in holographic form.
Technology
Hologram technology has come a long way since Tupac’s performance. Today, the technology is more advanced, with the ability to project high-quality, lifelike images. These images can be created using CGI, motion capture, and photogrammetry techniques. The holographic images can be projected on a transparent screen or a special stage, allowing interaction with live performers and the audience.
The technology is not without its limitations. One of the major challenges is the cost of creating and producing the hologram. It requires a team of skilled professionals and advanced technology, making it costly. Additionally, there is a limit to the number of artists that can be brought back in holographic form, as the quality of the images can vary depending on the available footage.
The first step is to capture the artist’s performance in a studio or on-stage using motion capture technology, which involves using sensors to track and record the artist’s movements on a computer. This allows for a highly accurate and realistic depiction of the artist’s movements while on stage.
Once the performance has been recorded, computer graphics are used to create a 3D model of the singer and create a virtual representation of the artist, complete with detailed features and textures that mimic the appearance of the real person. The 3D model is then animated to match the movements recorded during the motion capture stage.
Live Performance
The next step in creating a hologram concert is projection mapping which involves projecting the animated 3D model of the artist onto a stage using a combination of projectors and special reflective surfaces. The projection is carefully mapped to the surface of the stage to ensure that the holographic image is properly aligned with the physical stage and surroundings. This allows the audience to see the holographic image of the artist as if they were performing live. Special lighting and sound effects are also used to enhance the overall experience and create a more realistic and immersive atmosphere.
Challenges and Limitations
While hologram concerts offer a unique and innovative way of experiencing live music, they also come with certain challenges and limitations. For example, the quality of the holographic image depends on the quality of the motion capture and computer graphics used to create it. The final hologram concert may look artificial and unrealistic if these stages are not done well.
The greatest factor in whether a hologram looks real is the state-of-the-art technology required to create a lifelike end product. This technology isn’t cheap, so the overall cost is high in creating a top-quality hologram, thus making it difficult for smaller artists or events to use this technology.
Future Potential
Despite its limitations, concert hologram technology has enormous potential for the future. The ability to bring back deceased artists on stage is just the beginning. The technology can also create entirely new performances, with digital avatars of living artists or entirely fictional characters. This could revolutionize the entertainment industry, allowing for more immersive and interactive experiences for audiences.
Inside the Industry
In the world of music, innovation is critical, and in recent years the industry has seen a revolutionary shift in how live performances are experienced. AV Concepts is one of the largest music production companies in the world that has been at the forefront of this shift. The company brought us the Tupac hologram in Coachella way back in 2012. The company is based in San Diego and was founded in 1987 and aims to be the premier nationwide provider of audio, visual, and creative solutions. Their clients have included NBC, Starbucks, Intel, and Dell, and they provide such services as 3D Rendering, Lighting, Rigging, Room Diagrams, and Content Capture. The company has introduced new technology that has transformed the live music experience—using and developing lifelike holograms on stage in a concert setting.
Now move over AV Concepts, Industrial Light and Magic (ILM) has entered the arena both figuratively and in reality. You might have heard of this company with some little movies like Star Wars and the Indiana Jones franchise, just to name two of its many big hits. ILM is bringing its visual effects and animation expertise in the film and television to aid them in this new industry. This technology and its billions of dollars it has at the company’s disposal, along with its cutting-edge technological firepower to make hologram concerts that much more galactic for audiences. It will soon be hard to tell what’s real and what isn’t on stage.
Hologram concerts are unlike anything anyone has ever seen before, and they are stunningly realistic, with fans feeling like they were actually in the same room as their favorite artists. The technology has allowed for a completely immersive experience, with the holographic performers interacting with the audience in real time.
The success of hologram concerts is undeniable and will soon introduce old performers to an entirely new generation for the continued growth of that brand. Fans loved the experience, and the industry’s profits have nowhere to go but up, like a rocket but as with any new technology, there are skeptics. Some critics claimed that the hologram concerts were nothing more than a gimmick and lacked the authenticity and raw energy of a real live performance and the audience is getting ripped off by the lackluster spectacle.
None the less, companies like ILM are convinced that this is a new category for fans to enjoy and spend money with, and they know that hologram concerts are here to stay. They continue investing in this new technology, refining it to make the holograms more realistic and interactive.
As the hologram touring industry is booming, more artists are embracing this technology. From legendary musicians who had passed away to contemporary superstars, artists were eager to participate in the hologram revolution. Fans could now see performances from artists they had only ever dreamed of seeing live.
The industry has become a juggernaut, with ILM leading the charge. The company has perfected the technology, and its hologram concerts are now the gold standard for the industry. Fans are willing to pay top dollar for the experience, and artists are clamoring to be a part of it, along with the ability for them to cash in.
Why Make a hologram?
One of the primary reasons an artist today would want to create a hologram concert is the potential to reach new audiences. Hologram concerts can be viewed by anyone with an internet connection, allowing artists to connect with fans who may not be able to attend a traditional concert, if they wish. This opens the possibility of expanding an artist’s fanbase beyond geographic and demographic limitations.
Along with the new audiences, the ability to perform anywhere and at any time without the limitations of a physical venue is huge in the eyes of the industry. This means that artists can schedule concerts at any time of day, and fans can watch them from anywhere in the world. This technology also enables artists to perform posthumously, allowing fans to experience a concert from their favorite artist long after their passing, not to mention a cash revenue to the artist’s estate.
These concerts provide a unique and immersive experience that younger fans want and are willing to pay big bucks to see. The technology allows for 3D projections and special effects, and lighting to create a visually stunning performance. Fans can also view the concert from different angles, making them feel like they are part of the performance. It also allows musicians to collaborate with other artists or even bring back deceased singers for unique performances. Let’s say Bruno Mars wanted to perform a duet with James Brown; with some magic and some modern technology, you have the two together on stage singing their hearts out even though James Brown has been dead for 17 years.
These new concerts are also cost-effective for artists, unlike traditional performances. Hologram concerts do not require a physical venue, and transportation typically requires the artists to cover this cost associated with traditional touring. This means that artists can earn more revenue from a hologram concert while reducing their expenses and overhead.
Future-proofing
Finally, hologram concerts provide a way for artists to future-proof their music. Music can be easily copied, distributed, and consumed in today’s digital age without artists receiving fair compensation. Hologram concerts offer a unique and exciting way for artists to monetize their music in a way that cannot be easily duplicated. This is especially important as the music industry continues evolving and new media and entertainment forms are developed.
Who is Touring Now?
There are a number of deceased artists who have been featured in hologram tours in recent years. Some of the most notable include:
Tupac Shakur – In 2012, a hologram of the rapper Tupac Shakur was featured at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, performing alongside Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre.
Michael Jackson – In 2014, a hologram of Michael Jackson was featured at the Billboard Music Awards, performing his song “Slave to the Rhythm.”
Roy Orbison – In 2018, a hologram of Roy Orbison was featured on tour, performing his classic hits like ” Pretty Woman.”
Whitney Houston – In 2020, a hologram of Whitney Houston was featured on tour, performing her classic hits like “I Will Always Love You.”
Frank Zappa – In 2022, a hologram of Frank Zappa was featured on tour, performing with former bandmates and family members.
It’s worth noting that hologram tours are controversial, with some fans and critics arguing that they are disrespectful to the deceased artist’s legacy. In contrast, others see them as a way to keep the music and memory of the artist alive.
Hologram concerts are an innovative and exciting way to experience live music. While hologram concerts have certain challenges and limitations, the technology continues to evolve and improve, offering new opportunities for artists and audiences alike.
Well, there you have it folks. A very quick and superficial description of the new phenomenon known as the hologram concert industry. I hope that this has at least introduced you to something the Acorn didn’t know existed, up to a month ago. We will go into more detail on the next Acorn blog post, pertaining to a specific group and how they are utilizing this technology more effectively and maximizing its use.
Until then, have yourself a great week and we will meet up again very soon. Acorn headquarters signing off…. Goodbye.