Surprised Coachella viewers watching on YouTube at home saw a massive, holographic figure of BLACKPINK's LISA enter and walk through the crowd during Anyma's Æden world premiere on Friday, April 17. This appeared to be a game-changer that would redefine our understanding of live show technology.
Fans eagerly anticipated the possibility of LISA joining Anyma as a special guest on the Coachella Mainstage ever since the two released their unexpected collaboration, Bad Angel, earlier in April. The tragic cancellation of the Week 1 performance further exacerbated the excitement for the Week 2 world premiere.
While the track played, LISA indeed appeared on stage to perform live. Also joining her was a 100ft-tall, digital version of herself, shocking thousands of viewers and immediately prompting discussion online. This appeared to be a paradigm shift in the world of live shows, as the possibilities for this type of technology are seemingly endless—a feat that Eric Prydz has been chasing with his HOLO shows for decades.
Viewers quickly realized this phenomenal special effect was a livestream-exclusive augmented reality (AR) filter, invisible to the festival's in-person attendees. Fans later observed the use of AR in other effects during the set, such as virtual marble columns that appeared to crumble into the crowd during the introduction. One dead giveaway was the fact that the crowd at the show was not reacting to what would have been an unbelievable sight to behold; they simply could not see it.
While visually impressive, the use of this technology begs the question: will augmented reality on streams prove to create enhanced productions for viewers at home, or instead detract from the authenticity of the event as presented live to festival-goers? What is certain, however, is that Anyma's Æden show has pushed a new boundary of the festival streaming experience.
Æden tour dates are live on Anyma's website and audiences worldwide will soon find out what other technological innovations may await.
Listen to the track that inspired the unique visual here: