ABBA Voyage (concert) Artifact

The experience of the ABBA Voyage digital avatar concert was very enjoyable. The digital avatars were convincing enough, though they suffered when blown up on the side screens, particularly their hair. The concert also relied less on them than I expected, and was more self aware too. There was a live band and backup singers who were introduced by name and placed center stage for a song which I thought added a lot to the show. The avatars took turns each speaking once and introducing a song, and at least some if not all talking was recorded specifically for the show by modern day ABBA (though they might have de-aged their voices?), and made jokes about time travel and how young they look when the last time they performed in London was 1979. The songs weren’t all performed as avatars either, some were more like music videos made with the avatars. I do wonder why that was, if it had to do with technological limitations, if they lacked enough data for full performances of those songs (though the avatars were created with motion capture), but it was still fun to have a mix of entertainment formats. I wonder if the system has the flexibility to add more songs and have different sets.

I like the utilization of this technology for a band like ABBA, who are iconic enough to draw crowds at a tour but perhaps no longer feel up to touring. It seems like a good deal for both fans and the band. Especially since they are all still living and able to consent to and influence the use of their image/identity in this way, and be compensated for it. I do wonder if a proliferation of this technology would be unfair to new musicians; how are they meant to compete with digital versions of iconic musicians with huge pre-existing audiences who can perform multiple places at once and with no need for a break? 

The prohibitive expense and need to build/transport a specialized arena will probably limit the application of digital avatar concerts (as well as the need for motion capture from the artist, though hologram concerts are another issue). I think live concerts will continue to be valued, as they are still a unique experience for interaction and relationship building between an artist and audience. Should some form of digital concert become widespread, live concerts may become even more valued as they become scarcer, to get to see the real live musician in person. Putting another step/barrier between artists and fans also likely has pros and cons on many other levels.