Hologram Concerts?
What are holograms? Holograms are light reflections of recorded videos to create a 3-D image with light. Holograms have been used in many different ways including in credit cards, drivers licenses, mapping technology and medical devices but today they have advanced and are used for art, construction and even concerts. Until recently, concerts have been live performances although many performers have been caught lip singing. Today, there are concerts performed entirely through holograms.
The first use of holograms as a concert medium occurred at the 48th Grammy Awards in 2006. The Gorillaz and Madonna performed “Hung Up” using holograms to portray their images. In the performance they used a special stage for the holograms outfitted with lights, until Madonna came onto the stage for her part of the performance.
Holographic Concerts have progressed today to the point where there are no actual performers. One example of this is Hatsune Miku, who is a 16 year old humanoid hologram with two long blue pig tails. She tours the world performing songs and has a cult-like fan base. Her voice is created using a synthesizer and has over 100,000 songs to her name. Thousands of obsessive Hatsune fans create art, music and even marry her in virtual weddings. Her concerts are always sold out with tickets starting at over $150 USD.
Currently there is a new market for holograms. Companies like Hologram USA are being born solely to create hologram performances. At their studio on Hollywood Blvd, singers such as Chief Keef are displayed every night. Holograms are not limited to singers. Bounds are being pushed with each performance. Holographic businesses are thinking about adding live events such as boxing, political events including debates, interviews with celebrities and even car viewings.
Companies like Digital Domain, Pulse Evolution Corp and Hologram USA are now competing for intellectual property and rights to use popular performers as holograms for their shows. This new industry has created lots of complications and headaches for lawyers and families of the recently deceased. Additionally companies are creating new humanoid personalities trying to imitate the success of Hatsune Miku.
Holographic Concerts are here today. What will the concert 50 years later look like? Will we be able to stream holographic concerts in our living room?