Elvis to Make Comeback With London AI Show

 Posted on August 31, 2024  |  5 minutes  |  923 words  |  Larita Shotwell

The king of rock ‘n’ roll is set to conquer a new stage – artificial intelligence (AI). A holographic AI version of Elvis Presley will regale London audiences from November in stage show “Elvis Evolution.”

The show is from Layered Reality, the U.K. company specializing in immersive experiences, whose credits include “Jeff Wayne’s The War of The Worlds: The Immersive Experience” and “The Gunpowder Plot.”

Layered Reality describes “Elvis Evolution” as “a major new show celebrating the world’s biggest star of stage and screen, Elvis Presley, with a jaw-dropping concert finale and a personal invite to the after party. The show peaks with a concert experience that will recreate the seismic impact of seeing Elvis live for a whole new generation of fans, blurring the lines between reality and fantasy. A life sized digital Elvis will share his most iconic songs and moves for the very first time on a U.K. stage. Elvis fans can look forward to a memory-making experience like no other. Through AI and groundbreaking tech you’ll be able to witness iconic Elvis performances as if you were really there, and celebrate defining moments in Elvis Presley’s extraordinary life and career.”

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The show, at a yet-to-be confirmed central London venue, will be followed by an after party at its Elvis-themed restaurant and bar with live music, DJs and performances.

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Layered Reality’s shows blend technology, augmented reality, theatre, projection and multi-sensory effects. “Elvis Evolution” will also travel to Las Vegas, Berlin and Tokyo. The company struck a deal with Elvis Presley estate owner Authentic Brands Group, which owns Elvis Presley Enterprises, to make the show possible.

Andrew McGuinness, founder and chief executive of Layered Reality, said: “‘Elvis Evolution’ is a next-generation tribute to the musical legend that is Elvis Presley. Elvis maintains superstar status globally and people around the world no longer want to sit there and passively receive entertainment – they want to be a part of it. It’ll be a memory-making experience that will be a bucket list item for Elvis fans and admirers around the world; people can step into the world of Elvis, walk in his shoes and celebrate his extraordinary musical legacy.”

Marc Rosen, president of entertainment at Authentic Brands Group, added: “We’re thrilled to partner with Layered Reality to give fans a new, immersive way of experiencing Elvis Presley’s life and legacy.”

With some 500 million records sold worldwide, Presley is one of the highest-selling music artists of all time. He died in 1977, aged 42. The show comes at a time when interest in Presley is at an all-time high following the release in 2022 of Baz Luhrmann’s Oscar-nominated “Elvis” and BAFTA and Golden Globe-winning “Elvis” and 2023’s Venice-winning “Priscilla.”

“ABBA Voyage,” a concert experience featuring digital avatars of the iconic Swedish band, is a hit on the London stage.

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