The Future of Performers

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Here’s my opinion on the future of performers: I had a fear that they could be replaced with virtual performers but reminded myself that is not the case and that there’s a niche for everyone.

I started to notice that there has been an existence of virtual performers with certain performers such as Gorillaz, Hatsune Miku, K/DA, and many others. I was never annoyed with those groups, and I found them really cool. However, as technology continues to advance, the popularity of virtual performers increased, and I have been visibly annoyed when companies have decided to fully fund the projects on the concept of virtual performers on stage. Later on, I realized that not only are there fans of virtual performers, but also the performers we have now are not being replaced. Basically, virtual performers are being included in music, whether we like it or not.

From my research, I came across an article that talked about the rise and popularity of virtual performers, beginning with Hatsune Miku in Japan and others in China. From there, the technology has quickly advanced with the use of motion capture suits to capture every movement of the performer when they dance, walk, run, and move around in a space. Film crews that incorporate characters that are out of this world in live action movies have used these suits on actors as they portray these characters. Now, it’s used on performers for the stages, and the experience is just the same for everyone, even though there have been opposing opinions about it.

For companies and artists, having virtual performers is beneficial for them, starting with the low cost and high profits; they don’t have to hire make-up artists or designers for the outfits for the performers, as the graphic designers do that through the programs to dress them up. The only cost they would be concerned about is the expense of the software and labor. I mean, it’s not always free; these programs and the labor must be expensive for anyone who creates virtual characters. In addition, they can have their privacy and the performers behind the scenes can have a life they would like to live without people having to restrict them from doing so. They can date, go out, and just be themselves: the benefits that every performer, whether virtual or not, should have. Furthermore, the performers wearing motion capture suits don’t have to uphold the beauty standards implanted by society, so they don’t have to get their face done nor change their skin tone. You can read more about it in the article linked below.

The Difference Between Virtual Idols and Traditional Entertainment from Technical Perspectives

Overall, the companies can protect their artists’ privacy and security of their identity, the artists get to perform, and the fans get to enjoy their music. So, a win-win, right?

I would like to say so because people have the right to enjoy music whether it’s performed by virtual performers or human performers, but the elephant in the room is my main concern: the human performers themselves. My question has always been: will they be replaced? We will have to see as time goes on, but I don’t see that happening… yet.

While the fans do protect the identities and privacy of the artists behind the virtual performers, I have witnessed that is not the case for human performers. Human performers are always vulnerable to scandal, invasion of privacy, and toxic beauty standards. When an artist gets caught in a scandal, their careers are at risk because they’re not upholding the societal standards of how performers should live; for example, going out to clubs, smoking, drinking, hanging out with friends, or even dating. Next, they even have to be careful with their private life because fans don’t know when to respect their boundaries as they appear in front of the artists’ houses and give them gifts that they can simply drop off at the company. If the company forbids certain gifts and only allows letters, we need to respect that. There’s a reason they have rules for giving gifts. Just because an artist performs in front of thousands, if not millions, of people, doesn’t mean that we have a right to their private life. If fans can respect the privacy of artists behind virtual performers, then we can sure as hell respect the privacy of those who choose to show themselves in the spotlight.

Not everyone will be fans of virtual performing groups, but we can learn a few things from fans when it comes to privacy and standards. As a music fan myself, I would like every single artist, whether I support them or not, to have their privacy and boundaries. The only thing I want is their work, otherwise their business is their own. Not only that, but the beauty standards also implemented on the artists are ridiculous. Unless the artists actually want to get worked done, they shouldn’t be forced to change their skin tone, get their face done, or lose drastic amount of weight to fit into clothing that could potentially even harm them. It’s a good thing that there is a law that does protect the trainees, but I do hope that they have laws that can protect the artists after they debut. If anything, the beauty standards should be dismantled altogether so everyone can be comfortable with their own skin.

I’m not too fascinated with the way things have been, and are, going for performers on stage when things are going virtual, but I’m learning a lot to accept what is happening and to understand that it’s a niche that works for other people. I’m also learning to look at artists in an objective light outside of their art. If they do anything wrong that may hurt themselves or others, then they must take a break from the limelight, reflect on what they’ve done and act on making things right. The same thing goes for fans; we do something that hurts ourselves and others we must reflect and act on making things right. We can’t expect the artists to be “righteous” when we’re not righteous ourselves. We are all human after all.

Remember, we must always respect those who have different preferences in the music industry and the boundaries of every artist that brings us their work of art, whether they reveal their faces or not. Just as we feel uncomfortable when we’re approached by strangers just when they only want to have a conversation, artists in the limelight would feel the same way when fans, even almost aggressively, approach them. All we need to do is embrace what work of art they give us.

Thank you for tuning in on Olive’s Corner at Olive’s Café!