Muse go virtual reality in 3D immersive concert
From today, Muse fan will be able to immerse themselves in a mixed-reality performance combining concert footage and virtual world socialising, thanks to virtual entertainment app Stageverse.
Muse’s Simulation Theory: Virtual Experience was filmed in 6K at the group’s sold-out July 2019 show at Madrid’s Wanda Metropolitano Stadium (67,829-cap.) and offers 360-degree 3D views and 16 viewpoints to choose from.
The full two-hour show is available for free for an unspecified limited period via the mobile app (available on IOS and Android) and in Virtual Reality via the Oculus Quest App Lab. Fans can dress their avatar selves in outfits from Muse – including frontman Matt Bellamy’s jacket – and fashion house Balmain Paris.
Stageverse is a “social metaverse” platform combining 3D virtual venues, interactive experiences, and the ability for fans to communicate with each other. The app was created by Stage Inc, the entertainment technology company founded in 2017 by Tim Ricker and Claire Seidler. Forthcoming events include an interactive exhibition with visual artist Shantell Martin, and an exhibition called Neon Dreams.
In a statement, Bellamy said: “The music of Simulation Theory was conceived as a 50/50 blend of analogue and electronic instruments, so our goal has always been to create experiences that redefine the human role in programming and technology. We can’t wait for our fans to be able to truly immerse themselves in our Simulation Theory world and take full advantage of everything that the Stageverse experience will offer.”
“Virtual spaces are more relevant to our daily life than ever as we all search for new ways to share experiences and connect with each other in real-time that goes beyond the chat window.” Stageverse CEO Tim Ricker
Ricker said: “Virtual spaces are more relevant to our daily life than ever as we all search for new ways to share experiences and connect with each other in real-time that goes beyond the chat window. We’re proud to introduce the next chapter of virtual entertainment with Stageverse, which allows you to participate outside of physical limitations and engage with contemporary creators in innovative, unexpected ways through the ubiquitous access of mobile phones and the next generation of devices.
“The growth of future-culture will be defined by how elements of the familiar, like going to a concert or brick-and-mortar shopping, are seamlessly integrated into wholly new experiences, which we’re excited to introduce at Muse’s Virtual Experience.”
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Trust in the power of youth
Last month, after the cinema release of Muse’s Drones World Tour, I departed my 18-year position with the band by announcing my retirement from a life on the road in order to set up a new charity adventure: NEKO Trust.
Having been lucky enough to work with some of the best live bands on the planet, I’m struck by the absence of breakthrough acts with guitars, drums and attitude – I’m kept awake at night worrying who will headline Reading Festival in the future. So, this is a call to arms moment.
The UK has given the world some of the best music in modern times, and we need to continue. Where would Coldplay be but for the Bull and Gate in Kentish Town? Or Ed Sheeran if not for the Bedford in Balham? At this year’s TPI Awards, I proposed that the industry come together to tackle this problem. And so, ladies and gentlemen, please meet NEKO Trust: a simple idea with massive ambition!
We want to build five grassroots venues around the country – London, Birmingham, Cardiff, Leeds and Edinburgh – that will be run by young people studying a variety of subjects related to the live events industry. We also plan to add to the mix ex-military and ex-offenders who are in need of a new life.
Young bands need young crew, so let’s unite the young, brilliant minds of the next generation of our industry
The trust will see that the next Bastille or the 1975 are able to meet young crew in these new venues powered by youth, and be able to begin new working relationships. Young bands need young crew, so let’s unite the young, brilliant minds of the next generation of our industry.
Then comes HULLAbALOO, a music and arts festival totally created and run by students for students. A discovery festival with a difference. And this is where you come in…
NEKO Trust is seeking industry mentors to provide guidance in advance of the festival, at the House of Vans in London on 27–28 April 2019. The festival will be a microcosm of our beloved industry, involving students studying art, marketing, first aid, security, transport logistics, stage management, backline tech, sound, lighting, projection mapping… the list goes on!
All equipment needs to be industry sponsored, proving that we care about the future crew. To learn more about NEKO Trust, please visit NEKOtrust.org.
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Muse sign with CAA for Europe and Asia
Muse have signed with Creative Artists Agency for worldwide representation, with the exception of North America, South America, and Australia.
The UK three-piece were previously represented by UTA’s Geoff Meall, who moved to Coda Agency at the beginning of the year.
Muse’s last concert tour, the 131-date Drones world tour, was the 18th highest grossing of 2016, generating revenues of US$65.5m. The band will play a series of European festival dates this summer, including Rock in Rio Lisbon, Rock am Ring/Rock im Park and Mexico’s Pa’l Norte.
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Storms force Lollapalooza to cut short first night
Headline sets by Lorde, Muse and others were cut short as a storm forced the early closure of the first day of Lollapalooza.
Promoter C3 Presents and Chicago city officials evacuated the Grant Park site an hour before it was due to close, telling people via Twitter: “Grant Park is being evacuated due to weather. Please make your way to the nearest exit,” and “Tonight’s performances will not resume. Please make your way toward shelter, away from Grant Park”. Announcements were also made over loudspeakers and by stewards.
“We are disappointed to have to end today’s performances early, however our first priority is the safety of our fans, staff and artists,” said C3 Presents spokesperson Sandee Fenton.
It’s not the first time the event has been affected by the weather. In 2015 the final day of the festival was cut short by a nearby storm, and in 2012 the site was evacuated for similar reasons.
The 100,000-capacity festival runs from 3-6 August. Artists include The Killers, Arcade Fire, The xx, Alt-J, Chance the Rapper and Blink-182.
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Muse crowdsourcing setlist for charity show
Muse have announced a one-off show in London in aid of homeless charity The Passage in which ticketholders will choose the setlist.
Billed as a ‘by request’ show, the concert – at AMG’s 2,000-cap. Shepherd’s Bush Empire on 19 August – will give all those who buy tickets the opportunity to choose their ten favourite Muse songs, with the tallied-up votes used to curate the band’s set on the night.
Tickets for the show go on sale at 9am on Friday (6 July) via Ticketmaster, with all profits going to The Passage. Muse fanclub members and ticketholders for Reading and Leeds Festivals – which Muse (pictured) headline the following weekend – will have access to a 48-hour presale.
“The Passage is really grateful that Muse are doing a doing a concert to raise money for, and awareness of, the vital work we do to end homelessness”
Mick Clarke, CEO of The Passage, comments: “The Passage is really grateful that Muse are doing a doing a concert to raise money for, and awareness of, the vital work we do to end homelessness for those who come to our doors. It is frighteningly easy to end up on the street, and this concert helps ensure that The Passage will be there for those who have nowhere else to turn to.”
“We have admired The Passage’s work for a while now,” adds Muse frontman Matt Bellamy. “Their work is vital to the community in London. We are looking forward to doing our bit to help the amazing staff and volunteers and the homeless people who benefit from their tireless hard work.”
Other bands who have experimented with allowing fans to choose setlists include Coldplay, who have taken song requests via their website for the ongoing A Head Full of Dreams tour, Metallica, Maxïmo Park and Franz Ferdinand. (Muse themselves did something similar at the late Oxegen festival in 2010.)
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Glasto acts to record live LP dedicated to Jo Cox
A charity album in aid of Oxfam and dedicated to murdered MP Jo Cox will be recorded at this weekend’s Glastonbury Festival.
Oxfam Presents: Stand as One – Live at Glastonbury 2016 will be second LP recorded at Glasto (after 1972’s Glastonbury Fayre triple album) and include a song each from Coldplay, Muse, Foals, Sigur Rós, The Last Shadow Puppets, Chvrches, Wolf Alice, Laura Mvula, Jamie Lawson, John Grant, Jack Garratt, Two Door Cinema Club, The 1975, Editors, Years & Years and Fatboy Slim, “with more expected to join”.
“We are making this special live album from Glastonbury this summer because the scale of the refugee crisis is so huge we simply had to do something,” says Glastonbury co-promoter Emily Eavis. “We want people who are far from home and frightened to know we are doing whatever we can to help. To know the artists who play here are doing whatever they can. To know the people who love their music are doing whatever they can. Now it’s time for world leaders to do the same. All of us – Glastonbury, Oxfam, musicians and music-lovers everywhere – must stand as one to demand action for refugees.”
The album is dedicated to the memory of Oxfam campaigner Jo Cox MP, who was shot and stabbed while holding a constituency surgery in Birstall, Yorkshire, on 16 June.
Stand as One will be released on Parlophone on 11 July and is available to preorder now.
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Sex offender can go to Glastonbury, rules judge
A convicted sex offender has had his curfew lifted so he can attend Glastonbury Festival.
Harry Webb, 21, was spared prison after indecently assaulting a woman while she slept, but was given a suspended prison sentence which for three months includes a curfew from 20.00 to 6.00. Judge Peter Blair QC has lifted the curfew from 21 to 27 June so Webb (pictured) can attend the Somerset festival, for which he has already bought tickets.
Peter Saunders of the National Association for People Abused in Childhood (NAPAC) told The Sun: “This is an utterly perverse decision. I cannot see it can possibly be justified. It shows these crimes are not seen as serious, and that’s a big issue for courts.”
Muse, Adele and Coldplay will headline Glastonbury 2016, which takes place from 22 to 26 June – clashing with the ‘Brexit’ referendum – at its usual home of Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset.
The Rolling Stones are top-selling act of Q1 2016
The Rolling Stones have sold the most tickets of any artist worldwide in 2016 so far.
A total of 729,292 people bought tickets to see the Stones – who wrapped up their América Latina Olé tour of Latin America with an historic concert in Havana on 25 March – between 1 January and 31 March, reveals Pollstar’s chart of the top 100 tours of the first quarter (Q1) of 2016.
The British rock aristocrats’ previous tour, the AEG Live-promoted 15-date Zip Code tour of North America, was the 10th most lucrative of 2015, grossing US$109.7 million from 628,733 tickets in a year in which just four American artists placed in the global top 10.
The Winter Jam tour of Christian rock, pop, rap and contemporary Christian music (CCM) bands, headlined by Christian pop duo For King & Country, places second in the year to date with 504,124 tickets sold, with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band (467,321), Maroon 5 (451,761) and Madonna (380,669) rounding out the top five.
A total of 729,292 people bought tickets to see The Rolling Stones between 1 January and 31 March
Iron Maiden are sixth, having shifted 340,472 tickets to their The Book of Souls world tour, which kicked off on 24 February and is already on its second jumbo jet, closely followed by non-music shows Disney on Ice (339,028) Cirque du Soleil’s Varekai (265,778) and the Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus (252,571). Ricky Martin is 10th, with 232,015 units sold.
Muse, touring in support of their seventh studio album, Drones, sold 196,680 tickets to place 16th, with Adele (183,553) and The Who (157,447) not far behind, in 18th and 21st, respectively. Black Sabbath (130,871) are doing good numbers on their final tour, The End, placing 28th, with currently-without-a-lead-singer AC/DC 30th, having sold 120,558 tickets in 2016 so far.
Live Nation and AEG Live were, unsurprisingly, the top two promoters – first and second with 3,306,032 and 2,658,628 tickets sold, respectively – with T4F of Brazil in third (981,090), Mexico’s CIE in fourth (868,876) and Florida-based Feld Entertainment in fifth (658,972). British outfit SJM Concerts, in seventh with 522,388 tickets sold, was the highest-placing European promoter.