Top Virtual Reality Concert Experiences
When the VR revolution kicked off and entered the mainstream in the early 2010s, one of the most anticipated uses of the tech was to bring immersive live music experiences to users all over the world. Now, from tech-themed prog trios to K-pop girl groups, musical artists of all kinds are taking the VR to better showcase their unique performances and personalities.
Muse: Enter the Simulation
Acclaimed and relentlessly ambitious British rock band Muse released a VR concert in late 2021 through Stageverse, making it free to experience for all users.
“The music of Simulation Theory was conceived as a 50/50 blend of analog and electronic instruments, so our goal has always been to create experiences that redefine the human role in programming and technology. We can’t wait for our fans to be able to truly immerse themselves in our Simulation Theory world and take full advantage of everything that the Stageverse experience will offer”. – Matt Bellamy (guitar, piano, vocals) of Muse.
Foo Fighters: Super Bowl LVI After Show
As arguably the biggest rock band on the planet, Foo Fighters have accomplished things most bands only dream of. So sayeth Mr. Dave Grohl: “We’ve pretty much done it all, but we’ve never collaborated with Mark Romanek on a conceptual set of songs… for a worldwide audience, where everyone has the best seats in the house thanks to the most badass VR tech… until now.”
Although no longer available and allegedly plagued with both accessibility and visual problems, the post-game stream was a significant event for the VR community and brought the idea of large-scale VR concerts to a huge audience.
J Balvin Futurum: A VR Concert Experience
Colombian reggaeton sensation J Balvin took his fame into the virtual world with a free concert in February 2023 via Meta Horizon Worlds in partnership with iHeartRadio and gave his worldwide fanbase new access to his vibrant performances.
“I’m always looking for new and innovative ways to expand access to art, and the VR space is one with limitless opportunity,” Balvin said. “The whole show has a futuristic vibe, including some crazy robots twice my size. It will be one of my wildest shows ever, and I’m grateful to Meta and iHeart for the unique collaboration and the platform to explore my passion for technology in a way that allows my fans to experience my music together in a different way.”
Aespa: VR Concert at KWANGYA
SXSW sees music lovers and industry bodies descend on Austin, Texas, every year, and 2023 is no exception, with some performers coming from as far away as South Korea. K-pop girl ground Aespa will use SXSW to launch their very own VR concert experience Aespa: VR Concert at KWANGYA. Although viewing is currently limited to those attending SXSW, the concert will soon be coming to all major VR headsets.
Megan Thee Stallion: Enter Thee Hottieverse
After she shot to international superstardom with her smash hit collaboration with Cardi B, WAP (which certainly doesn’t stand for Wireless Application Protocol), Megan Thee Stallion had the world at her feet. To give the most fans the most access to her vibrant stage shows, she launched Megan Thee Stallion: Enter Thee Hottieverse, a VR concert tour that took place in AMC theaters around the USA. Powered by AmazeVR, the VR showcase of Megan’s unique talents also made its way to the Meta Quest App Lab.
2023 is shaping up to be a landmark year for VR concerts, with a wide range of artists having announced upcoming shows to be held in virtual reality.
As VR concerts continue to make their mark on the music and live entertainment industries, expect even stronger productions from top stars to head to your VR headset of choice soon.