Working in an industry that's constantly evolving is no small feat (技艺) for musicians. Giving fans a memorable show is crucial, and some artists are looking to virtual reality to do just that. Travis Scott for example, partnered with Fortnite to bring his virtual-reality concert, Astronomical, to a global audience. The event drew in 12 million viewers. But interest in VR concerts came earlier. In 2019, the entertainment-technology company Wave launched a multichannel virtual platform for live concerts through various digital means: video games, live streaming channels, social networks, and more. Wave has since teamed up with the likes of The Weekend, Justin Bieber, and John Legend.
The charm of such immersive concerts, by placing the audience in a digital world that stimulates both sight and sound to create an experience that makes one feel like they are truly part of the event, lies heavily in their experiment. Artists can try new ways to connect with listeners in digital environments. For fans skirting (避开) painful concert-ticket prices avoiding large crowds at venues, and experiencing their favorite musicians in an alternate world are true benefits.
VR has its downside. Only about 13% of households in the US own a VR headset so the technology isn't common. In a survey, 67% of respondents who didn't own a VR headset said its price tag kept them from buying one. Some people who paid a pretty penny have returned the headset because they simply didn't know how to set it up or didn't think the image quality was worth the cost. Discomfort is another issue: long-term use of a headset could cause discomfort in the neck and eyes, and according to the Food and Drug Administration, motion sickness is the most commonly reported negative side effect of VR. There's also the possibility of VR separating users too far from reality, which could rewire their brains if they don't moderate (使适度) headset use. However, looking ahead. Amy Dorsey, the managing director of Dorsey Pictures, said that developments in advanced digital reality would pave the way for the next version of entertainment.
