Kiss, the iconic rock band, has unveiled digital avatars that will allow the band to continue performing in a virtual form. The avatars were created by George Lucas’ special-effects company, Industrial Light & Magic, in partnership with the Pophouse Entertainment Group.
Legendary rock band Kiss delivered what was supposed to be their final live performance Saturday at Madison Square Garden. However, the face-painted musicians revealed it’s only the end of human Kiss – the band plans a “new era” where 3D digital avatars of Gene Simmons and crew will continue touring in their place.
The idea builds on the successful model pioneered by fellow 70s hitmakers ABBA, whose own animated avatars have starred in the London show “ABBA Voyage” since 2021. The concert series has proven wildly lucrative, raking in over $2 million per week thanks to nostalgic crowds excited to see the Swedish pop stars perform via video magic.
While Kiss heads for retirement, their digital duplicates could rock and roll all night indefinitely. Advancements make it possible for aging bands to get immortal replacements continuing their legacy on stage.
These avatars, depicted as a kind of superhero version of the band, were created using a process called motion capture, which captures the essence of the band members and then builds an avatar based on that data. The band members performed in motion capture suits to create their digital counterparts.
The avatar tours allow groups who struggled with the physical demands of live concerts to keep fans satisfied and revenue flowing. Still, some question if authenticity and innovation risk fading if human artists get replaced by animated digital reproductions aiming mainly to mimic catalogue hits rather than push creative boundaries.
As more legacy acts explore virtual performances, the answer around longevity versus originality continues unfolding. For kiss, the body can’t keep up but the show must go on – even if through high-tech holograms.
