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Glastonbury’s Shangri-La to be recreated in virtual reality festival

Glastonbury’s Shangri-La crew create new virtual reality festival Lost Horizon, while BTS promoter Big Hit Entertainment team up with a new livestreaming platform partner…

Glastonbury

Glastonbury’s Shangri-La is set to be recreated in a 3D digital form for the free new two-day virtual reality festival Lost Horizon in July.

The team behind the Shangri-La area of the UK’s flagship festival has teamed up with VRJAM and Sansar “to create the world’s largest independent music festival in virtual reality.”

Lost Horizon is described as “a real festival in a virtual world: a fully interactive and multi-stage event to explore via PC, VR or mobile app or streamed live and direct to wherever you are on the planet.”

The festival will feature computer-generated avatars and green screen hologram performances and has had more than 200 visual art pieces created. ShangrilART has curated the works on the ongoing theme of human connection.

Tickets are free, but Lost Horizon will ask festivalgoers to donate to The Big Issue and Amnesty International during the festival’s duration.

The line-up includes Fatboy Slim, Frank Turner, Carl Cox, Skream, Pete Tong, Sasha, Seth Troxler and Eats Everything.

Glastonbury, which was due to celebrate its 50th anniversary this year, was cancelled in March due to COVID-19.

Big Hit Entertainment

Big Hit Entertainment, the Korean music giant behind K-pop sensation BTS, has partnered with US livestreaming firm Kiswe Mobile.

The company has signed a memorandum of understanding, with the partnership to provide what is described as “one-stop service in the music industry”.

The alliance aims to offer an improved online concert experience, as well as a more efficient method of content delivery targeting global fans.

Big Hit’s global chief executive Lenzo Yoon said: “This MOU opens the possibility for diversified innovation in the global market by combining Big Hit’s contents and planning expertise with Kiswe’s technology.

“Big Hit’s philosophy puts our fans’ needs as the top priority. Maximising the synergy of our partnership, we will develop and provide services that our customers want.”

Big Hit and Kiswe’s first project is a multi-view livestreaming, during which fans will be able to choose their favourite angle from the six screens that will be available on the same display.

Kiswe, which has already worked with the likes of the NBA basketball league and other live events, allows viewers to customise their own viewing experience of entertainment content and live sports, as well as cloud-based multi-channel convergence technology.

Kiswe’s chief executive Mike Schabel said: “Kiswe’s relationship with Big Hit Entertainment expands our huge global sports and media footprint into the music sector and allows Kiswe and Big Hit to explore new ventures in the industry. We believe it will be the first of many innovations together.”

The pair’s first collaboration is set to take place on June 14 at BTS’s Bang Bang Con: The Live concert event. Fans will be able to purchase access to Kiswe through Big Hit’s Weverse app ahead of the event.

Extreme E

Extreme E, the new electric SUV off-road racing series, has today confirmed it will offer several virtual hospitality opportunities around all of its races.

The packages will include an immersive viewing experience featuring a VIP access portal, livestreaming service, garage tours, race director cuts, chat platform, access to team and driver radios and a live DJ stream, amongst other exclusive benefits.

VR goggles will be sent to guests so they can watch footage filmed with 3D cameras and access driver interviews, track walks, drone laps and hot laps. There will also be the opportunity to put questions to drivers and celebrities at the races.

In addition, a VIP culinary experience will be on offer whereby a personal chef will arrive at their home or office to create a themed menu based on the Extreme E race location.

There will also be the option to order VIP hamper boxes including signed merchandise, a signature drink mix from the race location and climate warrior bracelets.

Alejandro Agag, Extreme E founder and chief executive, said: “As a championship, we are always looking to innovate and offer the best access and experiences to our teams and partners. If Covid-19 has taught us anything, it is that there is technology in place to allow us to do pretty much anything remotely.

“Virtual Reality is becoming more and more prevalent in society, and it is something we are taking very seriously here at Extreme E. The aim of the virtual hospitality packages will be to provide a memorable and immersive experience for guests without needing to travel thousands of miles.”

Image: jaswooduk