Could MelodyVR app revolutionise music viewing?

Music VR company MelodyVR today released its app, described as the world’s first dedicated virtual reality (VR) music platform, allowing fans to watch concerts as if they were actually there.

While viewing the concert with the app, users can switch between a number of different vantage points; depending on the act, these viewpoints could even be from the stage.

The release of this news happens to fall on the same day that Facebook has unveiled its Oculus Venues app, another VR system that is used to watch live events.

The company has forged partnerships with a vast array of labels, publishers and artists, including 2 Chainz, Rag’n’Bone Man and Niall Horan.

“As an artist you’re always trying to break down the barrier between you and your fans. MelodyVR takes this to a whole new level”

Roger Daltrey, of the Who, is a fan of the project, saying: “In 1971, Pete Townsend wrote a science fiction musical called Lifehouse about a future where people didn’t have to leave home to get real-life experiences from outside their four walls – we thought it was mad! But he proved to be right and MelodyVR have managed to bring this to life.”

Roger Daltrey isn’t the only only enthusiastic supporter of the project; Alex Pall from the Chainsmokers says: “We had this great opportunity to work with Melody VR on our European tour which was very exciting because we put a lot of work into our show and production. We travel with videographers year-round capturing our show but the footage they were able to get and angles is unlike anything we have ever seen and we are in the show ourselves.”

As technology has developed, the costs to make devices such as VR headsets gradually decrease. The Oculus Go, for example, is priced at US$199. The availability of these devices means that more and more people can take advantage of apps like MelodyVR.

For more on virtual reality, read our recent feature from IQ 71.

Get more stories like this in your inbox by signing up for IQ Index, IQ’s free email digest of essential live music industry news.