MelodyVR signs VR live-stream deal with UK’s NEC Group

Virtual reality newcomer MelodyVR has partnered with the UK’s NEC Group to deliver live-streamed concerts to music fans from the comfort of their own homes.

The multi-year agreement, which covers the Birmingham Arena and the Genting Arena (also in Birmingham), will see MelodyVR live-stream a multitude of concerts via its new VR app, which is currently being trialled on the Samsung Gear and Facebook’s Oculus Go VR headsets.

Tickets will also be promoted via both venues’ official box office, The Ticket Factory, and will be charged at a far-reduced cost versus physical access tickets. According to the press release, stars including 50 Cent, Britney Spears and Florence & The Machine are just some of the artists set to perform at both venues over the coming months, whilst Melody itself have pre-recorded over 1,000 artists over the past few years including the likes of Mabel, Jess Glynne, The Who and Kiss. Concerts from pre-recorded artists are being drip-fed onto the MelodyVR app regularly.

“VR is transforming the concert experience and shifting how fans can consume music,” says NEC Group’s Ian Congdon, adding “Nothing can beat experiencing live music in a venue, but offering VR concerts to our customers gives them more opportunities to experience the live music they love and get closer to artists than ever before”.

Anthony Matchett, CEO of MelodyVR said: “I’m very pleased to announce our exclusive partnership with NEC Group Arenas, which will see events live-streamed directly from their infamous venues, as well as VR event tickets promoted via their official box office website – The Ticket Factory. Our relationship with the NEC Group forms part of a series of commercial arrangements which we expect to conclude over the coming weeks with other landmark entertainment venues. Â It is my intention to provide a trading and strategic update as part of our interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2018, the content of which will provide greater insight as to the direction and ambitions of our business.”

Since its formation several years ago, MelodyVR has signed deals with all major labels, alongside an exclusive partnership with Facebook for their Oculus platforms. With the ownership costs of VR headsets tumbling, the step into VR gigs has suddenly become massively-exciting.