【Underworld】Japan's First! 4K & 360-Degree VR Live Streaming
On March 12, Samsung Electronics Japan's Galaxy brand live-streamed the one-night-only special performance "Underworld Live: Shibuya Shibuya, we face a shining future" by British electronic artists Underworld in 4K resolution 360-degree VR (virtual reality) video. This marked the world's first live streaming of 4K 360-degree VR footage by an internationally renowned artist, signaling a new viewing experience through VR.
The special live event was organized by PARCO as part of the large-scale exhibition "THE TOMATO PROJECT 25th ANNIVERSARY EXHIBITION 'O'," held primarily at Shibuya PARCO to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the globally active design collective "Tomato." As the opening event, Underworld, also founding members of Tomato, made an emergency visit to Japan. They performed on the rooftop of Shibuya PARCO Part 3 in front of 200 lucky ticket holders.
Meanwhile, at the secondary venue, the "2.5D" studio inside Shibuya PARCO Part 1, multiple "TELEPOD" ball chairs equipped with VR4D systems providing body sonic feedback synchronized with visuals were set up. Guests invited by lottery wore Samsung's "Gear VR" goggle-type head-mounted display (HMD) to experience the live broadcast in real-time 360-degree VR. The 360-degree footage, streamed from special cameras positioned along the stage, delivered an incredibly realistic performance at a seemingly close distance, creating the immersive feeling of being right there on stage. Looking back revealed an audience so excited they seemed ready to climb over the barriers in front of the stage. Looking up, the night sky stretched out beyond the Shibuya PARCO building.
Katsuhide Furuya of Samsung Electronics Japan stated, "We take pride in Gear VR being the world's best hardware for affordable, accessible experiences. This time, we challenged the limits by bringing together three pinnacles: Tomato and Underworld, representing the world's top-tier content; and the VR project team from Dentsu Inc. and Eje, who handled the technical aspects like 360-degree video capture and editing." The live experience utilizing TELEPOD, which conveys even greater immersion, is likely a world first. This also marks the first time a VR live stream of an internationally renowned artist has been held in Japan. Achieving this was a significant challenge, but its successful completion has set a new benchmark."
Hikaru Adachi of Dentsu Digital Inc. Business Bureau, who handled everything from planning the innovative VR live event to providing technical support for the 360-degree VR live streaming, emphasized, "The technology, hardware, and environment necessary for the VR viewing experience are now in place. The key to success will be how compelling the content we create is. What's crucial for the future of VR is the story."
Mr. Furuya expressed his aspirations: "While this is called the first year of VR, the reality is that many people still haven't experienced it. But once they do, they become hooked on its appeal. VR's target audience is broad. Bedridden elderly people can meet their grandchildren in distant locations, and you can experience a friend's wedding you couldn't attend. The ways to enjoy it, like sports and movies, are endless. We want to continue actively promoting it so as many people as possible can experience it."
"THE TOMATO PROJECT 25th ANNIVERSARY EXHIBITION 'O'" will feature art displays and installations at the main venue, PARCO Museum, as well as inside and outside the PARCO building and throughout Shibuya from March 12 to April 3 (www.parco-art.com). Additionally, the VR footage of this performance will soon be viewable at the Gear VRxTELEPOD corner to be installed inside Shibuya PARCO.
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