Gorillaz demo Google's latest AR technology in a virtual concert
The virtual British music group Gorillaz is playing AR concerts in London and New York this weekend. Google's Geospatial API anchors the digital band in the real world.
The Gorillaz have always seen themselves as pioneers in the music industry. For example, the virtual band attracted attention back in 2005 with its first live performance using 3D holograms. At that time, the virtual musicians were projected onto the stage using "Musion Eyeliner" stage technology and also performed at the 2006 Emmy Awards as holograms.
Following the launch of Google's ARCore Geospatial API, the band is now making a special appearance with augmented reality to perform their new single "Skinny Ape" in New York's Times Square.
AR app brings Gorillaz to New York and London
The performance can be followed in the "Gorillaz Presents" app for iOS or Android. The digital characters and effects of the concert will be integrated into the real city backdrop.
An AR performance will follow at London's Picadilly Circus on Sunday, December 18, 2022. It starts at 2 p.m. local time. You can also watch this show again in the app after the live performance.
Gorillaz was created as a sarcastic commentary on the interchangeability of the music landscape at the turn of the millennium. Blur singer Damon Alban and comic artist Jamie Hewlett (Tank Girl) put together a virtual band whose characters served as many musician clichés as possible.
Thanks to different characters like the punk "2D" or the alt-rocker Murdoc, the band could switch between genres at will. This made lineups with changing musicians possible. Back in 2017, the Gorillaz released a 360-degree music video for the single "Saturnz Barz (Spirit House)".
All info and downloads for the Gorillaz AR concert can be found here.
Note: Links to online stores in articles can be so-called affiliate links. If you buy through this link, MIXED receives a commission from the provider. For you the price does not change.
