The BBC has moved in the opposite direction with a £500,000 investment in Bristol-based 3D video streaming platform Condense. This will help boost live music experiences through the New Music Portal, part of BBC Radio 1’s New Music Show with Jack Saunders.
The New Music Portal gives fans the feeling of being in the room with the artist by entering a virtual venue, a game-like environment for live performances.
About the partnership
Condensation, founded in 2019, has developed the technology to capture live performances using multiple cameras. The video feeds are combined to create a single 3D view of the event.
The audience can experience these events as virtual avatars, moving through the room in a video game-like environment. This could transform live music experiences, making them more accessible worldwide.
The investment will see Condense’s technology integrated into the BBC’s New Music Portal. The virtual venue allows fans to immerse themselves in live performances from artists such as Gardna, Charlotte Plank and Sam Tompkins.
Fans can access the portal on their mobile or laptop, choose an avatar and interact with the artist and other fans in real time, making it feel like a community.
Innovative collaboration
Nick Fellingham, CEO of Condense, said: “This partnership positions BBC audiences at the forefront of the evolution of what it means to be a music fan at a time when people around the world can now come together in the game to experience live music. You can attend a performance with your cousin who lives hundreds of miles away and share a real moment with your favorite artist through the New Music Portal.”
Sam Tompkins, who performed at the New Music Portal in May, said“The further this technology develops, the closer we get to that live experience and I find that so special. This is a much more accessible way for people to hear live music and I’m all for that.”
The metaverse market is evolving, with the recent announcement of the Apple Vision Pro headset reigniting interest.
Despite some skepticism about mass adoption, proponents argue that 3D virtual environments will democratize live entertainment, making it more affordable and accessible.
The BBC’s investment in Condense fits in with its wider aim of reaching younger audiences and trialling new methods of content creation. By supporting British innovation and technology, the BBC aims to find new ways to deliver immersive experiences, not just in music, but also in sport, education and news.
Jo Sherlock, BBC group rights and commercial director, will lead the partnership. The New Music Portal will soon offer more live and interactive experiences.