Entertainment
Kiss Say Farewell To Live Touring, Become First US Band To Go Virtual And Become Digital Avatars
Kiss concluded their “The End of the Road” farewell tour at New York City’s legendary Madison Square Garden on Saturday night.
But, as die-hard fans know, they would never call it quits. Not at all.
The band’s current lineup — founders Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons, guitarist Tommy Thayer, and drummer Eric Singer — departed the stage during their encore to unveil computerized avatars of themselves. Following the change, the virtual Kiss performed “God Gave Rock and Roll to You.”
The cutting-edge technology was used to tease a new chapter in the rock band’s history: after 50 years, Kiss is now interested in a type of digital immortality.
Kiss performed “God Gave Rock And Roll To You” on Saturday night to premiere the band’s virtual version.
Kiss Say Farewell To Live Touring, Become First US Band To Go Virtual And Become Digital Avatars
They have retired from the stage after 50 years to pursue a type of digital immortality.
The shows will be directed by Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Tommy Thayer, and Eric Singer’s avatars.
In collaboration with Pophouse Entertainment Group, George Lucas’ special-effects studio created the avatars.
These firms have already established “ABBA Voyage” in London, where fans may attend a full performance by the Swedish band’s digital avatars.
Kiss Say Farewell To Live Touring, Become First US Band To Go Virtual And Become Digital Avatars
George Lucas’ special-effects studio, Industrial Light & Magic, collaborated with Pophouse Entertainment Group, which ABBA’s Björn Ulvaeus co-founded to create the avatars. The two firms recently collaborated on the “ABBA Voyage” show in London, where fans could watch the Swedish band perform a full concert – as performed by their digital avatars.
According to Pophouse Entertainment CEO Per Sundin, this new technology allows Kiss to perpetuate their legacy for “eternity.” He claims that the band was not on stage for the virtual concert since “that’s the key thing” with the futuristic technology.
“Kiss could perform in three cities on three continents on the same night.” That’s exactly what you could do with it.”
They performed in motion capture suits to create their computer avatars, depicted as a type of superhero version of the band.
source – AP
