Elvis lives on: The King prepares to rock the virtual stage in an unforgettable encore

Die-hard Elvis Presley fans will no doubt be delighted to learn that they now have a unique opportunity to experience his legendary performances through the immersive world of virtual reality.

The groundbreaking production, Elvis Evolution, is currently in development by Layered Reality, an innovative entertainment company. Using a combination of artificial intelligence, holographic projection, augmented reality, and live theatre, the show promises to authentically recreate pivotal moments in Elvis Presley’s life and musical journey.

Andrew McGuinness, the founder and CEO of Layered Reality, expressed the excitement surrounding the project, describing it as “a joyous celebration of Elvis’s life – the man, the music, and his enduring cultural impact.”

McGuinness emphasised that the highlight of the experience would be an AI-driven performance by the King himself, which will no doubt captivate fans young and old.

From Elvis’s birthplace in Tupelo, Mississippi, to the iconic Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee, and the dazzling lights of Las Vegas, visitors will embark on a captivating journey through the life of the rock icon.

Layered Reality secured a partnership with Authentic Brands Group, the custodian of the Elvis Presley estate, to bring Elvis Evolution to life. This collaboration granted the British company access to a treasure trove of the star’s personal photos and home videos, enabling the creation of truly authentic performances through the use of AI technology.

Elvis Presley’s global appeal remains unwavering, even 46 years after his passing in 1977 at the age of 42. With over 500 million records sold, he continues to hold the title of the best-selling solo music artist of all time.

Recent cinematic releases, including Baz Luhrmann’s 2022 biography Elvis and Sofia Coppola’s 2023 exploration of his relationship with Priscilla, have introduced Elvis to a new wave of fans.

McGuinness believes that Elvis Evolution will captivate both dedicated fans and those eager to delve into the singer’s remarkable life.

Following its premiere in London, the show will embark on a global tour, enchanting audiences in cities such as Las Vegas, Tokyo, and Berlin.

The King’s virtual resurrection is an event of cultural significance, bringing forth the magic of his performances to a new era and reaffirming his unparalleled influence on the fabric of music and popular culture.

Elvis isn’t the only legendary act making a digital comeback; recently, ABBA mesmerised audiences with a virtual concert as part of their ABBA Voyage tour.

The groundbreaking tour features de-aged digital avatars of the four-piece and took place for the first time in front of a live audience in a purpose-built ABBA Arena at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London on May 27th, 2022.

The digital avatars of the band members were created after months of motion-capture and performance techniques by an 850-strong team from Industrial Light & Magic.

The inaugural performance saw the digital versions of the band perform crowd favourites such as  Mamma Mia! and Dancing Queen. The ABBA-tars performed a truly jaw-dropping show with many attendees claiming it was near impossible to tell you weren’t actually watching the real, human version of the band.

Considered one of the greatest musical groups of all time, ABBA became one of the most successful acts in the history of popular music, topping the charts worldwide from 1974 to 1983. They have achieved 48 hit singles. In 2015, their song Dancing Queen was inducted into the Recording Academy’s Grammy Hall of Fame.

-with Reuters.