Features
VR News: NextVR Partners With Facebook’s Oculus, MelodyVR Is Live in the U.S. & U.K.
NextVR, which has a partnership with Live Nation, has announced a partnership with Facebook’s Oculus. MelodyVR, which also claims industry partnerships, is available now.
– David Cole
CEO of NextVR
Facebook launched its Oculus Go headset at yesterday’s F8 developers conference, May 1. Oculus’ most interesting applications for the live entertainment industry is Oculus Venues, which launches May 30.
NextVR have announced a partnership with Oculus, that will see the company bring live VR events to Oculus Venues, concerts, sports, comedy shows and more. Oculus Go users can download the NextVR app as of now.
NextVR, which has a partnership with Live Nation but also the NFL, NBA and WWE, promises standup comedy live from Gotham Comedy Club, “School Night” live from Hollywood as well as “an International Champions Cup soccer match.”
NextVR co-founder and CEO David Cole said, “Oculus Venues is a bold move to provide profound social VR engagement and we are honored to deliver such an important part of this new product release from Oculus. NextVR has built a passionate fan base around leading VR content experiences. Venues will satisfy our fans who want to enjoy this type of content on a massively social scale.”
Cole referred to Oculus Venues social features, which are a big part of the offering. Fans can meet with avatars of friends in virtual rooms to enjoy whatever form of live entertainment is on offer together.
NextVR executive chairman Brad Allen told Pollstar where he sees virtual reality headed.
While Facebook was presenting its newest features in San Jose, another VR company announced that it was now available in the U.K. and U.S.: MelodyVR, which claims to be “the world’s first dedicated virtual reality music platform,” transporting fans “to sold-out stadium shows, far-flung festivals and exclusive VIP session.”
– MelodyVR
Users can select different angles from where to view the show, in this case: The Chainsmokers at Alexandra Palace
Performances available on MelodyVR include Bebe Rexha at The Novo, Los Angeles, CA, Fall Out Boy at the Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, AZ, The Chainsmokers at Alexandra Palace in London, England, Wiz Khalifa at Life Is Beautiful Festival in Las Vegas, NV, and more. Users can view the shows in 360-degrees and from multiple angles around the venue, including onstage.
The company promises to live stream concerts and offer virtual tickets to “sold-out shows with the biggest artists,” thanks to “partnerships across the industry, including major and independent labels and publishers.” It also teamed up with international artists including 2 Chainz, Rag N Bone Man and Niall Horan.
Horan said, “as an artist you’re always trying to break down the barrier between you and your fans,” adding that “MelodyVR takes this to a whole new level.”
The company, which is owned by London based EVR Holdings, also announced a fundraise of $30 million, bringing its total funding to date up to $70 million. The money will fuel its global expansion.
MelodyVR founder and CEO Anthony Matchett said he was “thrilled to have launched our platform in the US and the UK and we look forward to launching globally over the coming months.”
Pollstar has reached out to Matchett for further details, but he wasn’t available at press time.
Current market forecasts by Digi-Capital estimate that some 400 million people will be using VR/AR by 2021. Last year alone saw $3 billion invested in virtual and augmented reality startups.