The more time progresses, the more we step into an era where technology continuously blurs the lines between the real and the virtual. We saw Abba’s avatars become a successful idea a few months ago, and more recently Kiss announced they will live forever in the virtual world.
Now, Avenged Sevenfold is stepping into similar uncharted territory, preparing to rock the virtual world with a VR concert scheduled for early 2024. The event marks a collaboration with AmazeVR, a company dedicated to bringing artists and fans closer through immersive, 3D experiences.
AmazeVR has previously hosted successful VR concerts for artists like Megan Thee Stallion and T-Pain, and it looks like Avenged Sevenfold will be the first collective to perform for the company.
While details are still under wraps, this announcement is nothing more of a signal for the times to come. Ventures like this are bound to become more and more common and could have significant implications for the music industry, as they are the tell of the evolving landscape of entertainment.
Avenged Sevenfold vocalist M. Shadows also put it well in an interview with the L.A. Times regarding VR shows vs. live shows, saying "When you go play a show, there's something about that that can never be replaced. So it's about fully stepping into what the tech does well, and then fully stepping into what the live show does well."
As technology continues to reshape our interactions with art and culture, many musicians will probably be forced to explore novel avenues to connect with audiences. The age of AI is here to stay.
