Citi, Live Nation, NextVR Launching Virtual Reality Concert Series 
   9/28/2016                  by                                                                    Billboard Staff                                          
                      The future is now as the ability to virtually chill with  anyone, anywhere is becoming a reality and, inevitably, a marketing  opportunity.
  Citi, Live Nation and NextVR today announced a  partnership to produce a series of up to ten live virtual reality  concerts as part of the banking concern's longtime "Backstage with  Citi" initiative, which rewards card members with thousands of events  annually. Here, however, the series will transport fans via virtual  reality technology into an immersive experience with what the companies'  claim are the "world’s biggest artists." The initiative will include  select concerts and "backstage" experiences with artists.
   Virtual Reality Is Not Ready for Prime Time, But...
  "'We  want to push the boundaries of the very meaning of access beyond  attendance and as technology evolves, it’s allowing us to do  so," said Citi managing director Jennifer Breithaupt in  a statement. "We are thrilled to be announcing this new initiative with  Live Nation and NextVR that will offer 'front-row' and  behind-the-scenes VR concert experiences for millions of fans."
  The  first VR live concert is slated for later this year and will be  available via the Live Nation Channel on the NextVR app. Artists will be  announced soon. The app will be available on all major platforms by the  end of 2016. |