Susan Erwin Prowse, Co-Founder/ Co-Owner of Big Red Dog Productions, International Touring Artist, believes that the music industry is on the cusp of transformation due to the influence of augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and artificial intelligence (AI). The global pandemic has accelerated this shift, moving the industry from traditional venues to digital platforms, which may soon become the primary stage for artistic expression.
The pandemic has had a significant impact on the music industry, forcing artists and producers to quickly adapt to virtual platforms. Virtual concerts became popular, allowing artists to connect with global audiences from their homes. This shift has created new forms of audience engagement which may continue beyond the crisis.
Susan Erwin Prowe highlights the potential of AI in the music industry, including virtual reality concerts, interactive setlists, augmented reality shows, and direct artist interaction with fans. AI can enhance audience engagement by tailoring experiences based on real-time data, creating more personalized and immersive concert experiences.
In the future, the convergence of AR, VR, and AI promises to blend physical and virtual realities in music performances. This could lead to concerts tailored to individual environments with augmented overlays that create the illusion of artists performing live in the audience’s space. However, integrating these technologies raises ethical concerns, including authenticity and the potential displacement of traditional musical skills.
Susan Erwin Prowe envisions integrating live performances within the metaverse using AR technologies to enhance both physical and virtual concerts. Examples like Coachella partnering with Fortnite to create a virtual stage demonstrate the potential uses of these technologies, including AR-enhanced stages, virtual concert customization, and interactive physical venues where audiences can influence the show in real-time.
As the music industry continues to evolve, integrating AR, VR, and AI can enhance audience engagement and pioneer new realms of accessibility and artistic expression. Balancing these technologies with the human touch at the core of music will be essential to maintaining the integrity and soul of the art form. The future of music lies in embracing these technologies while preserving the authenticity and emotional connection that music brings to audiences worldwide.
