© Endless Riff
“Virtual Reality” has been a Sci-Fi fantasy for nearly a hundred years. But take a stroll through an electronics store lately and you’ll realize we’re closer to the technology than ever before.
From something as simple as popping your smartphone into an affordable headset (like Google Cardboard) to building full scale VR systems to process high-end experiences, VR is now as real as ever. And it’s not just about video games. The virtual reality experience now includes everything from interior design to healthcare and live concerts.
But what does it mean, and how will it affect the way we experience music?
Connected Like Never Before
On a very rudimentary level, VR headsets allow fans to experience music when they otherwise wouldn’t. Michael Hodson, CEO of OnlyInVR, says the technology can greatly reduce the costs and logistical problems of experiencing live music.
“If a ticket for a great seat to a show is $150 and you’ve got a family of four, that can be a prohibitive expense,” Hodson tells Wide Open Country. “Or let’s say you live in Des Moines, Iowa. Artists may not play anywhere within 250 miles of Des Moines. VR can provide a concert experience for people who wouldn’t get to do it normally.”
Hodson’s company focuses on capturing those concerts for viewers. But they also want to provide an opportunity for fans to go behind the scenes. “I actually think the non-concert stuff is potentially more exciting than the concert stuff,” Hodson says. “The opportunity to go onto the tour bus or in the recording studio with your favorite artist. With VR and 360 video, artists can allow fans opportunities they logistically couldn’t before, if they want to.”
On a practical level, you’ve probably already experienced some of what 360 video offers either via Facebook or YouTube. But when you’ve got a headset, perfectly mixed audio and content designed to be viewed in virtual reality, the experience goes to a whole new level.
,
Source: Wide Open Country