15 May 2020 07:00
EVR Holdings plc
('EVR' or the 'Company')
MelodyVR develops new content studio and launches music series
'Live from LA'
First week's line-up includes: John Legend, Katelyn Tarver, The Score and many more, Live from LA begins on May 16
EVR Holdings plc (AIM:EVRH), the leading creator of virtual reality entertainment content and operator of the MelodyVR platform, is pleased to announce the launch of Live from LA, a new live music series delivered directly into fans' homes around the world, broadcast from MelodyVR's brand-new studio location in Los Angeles.
Starting Saturday with an exclusive show from global superstar John Legend at 6pm PST. The series will also include performances from Machine Gun Kelly, Katelyn Tarver and The Score during the first week, with many more artists yet to be announced. Live from LA has been developed to provide fans with incredible immersive performances from their favourite artists and overcomes many of the COVID-19 related challenges currently facing the music industry, whilst maintaining the highest levels of safety for both performers and crew.
The staging of this new immersive content series ensures artists can continue to connect with their fans during a period absent of traditional concerts, tours or festivals. Using cutting edge technology in combination with our own in-house technical experience, our high quality immersive state of the art studio facility in Los Angeles will accommodate unique high-throughput production requirements whilst preserving the safety of artists, public and the on-site team, enabling artists to create broadcast quality content that can be distributed to their fans either in real-time as live events, or pre-recorded to be consumed at a later date.
Whilst the initial series of performances is to be made available for fans for free during these difficult times, this initiative is expected to deliver new opportunities for revenue generation for the company throughout the course of this year and beyond, via the potential monetisation of events and performances as the series continues.
Given the current restrictions surrounding traditional audience-focused shows and concerts, MelodyVR intends to broadcast virtual events for the foreseeable future. The goal is to demonstrate both the importance and engagement that digital content and the MelodyVR platform can provide as fans remain in isolation.
Anthony Matchett, CEO of MelodyVR said: "During these unprecedented times, it is difficult to foresee the upcoming changes and challenges that we may face personally as individuals, and the changes and challenges that many businesses and industries will experience moving forwards. MelodyVR was founded with the vision of providing fans with a new and exciting way of experiencing the live music they love, regardless of their location, age or financial means, and with a view that our company or content would never seek to replace the thrill of attending concerts, festivals or tours in person. Unfortunately, due to the recent events, we are now presented with a landscape where any mass-gatherings or public events are prohibited, which is extremely damaging to both artists and to the music industry as a whole. As a company that has deep-rooted experience with virtual events and immersive content, we are well positioned to benefit the music industry, including our partners such as promoters, artists, managers and record labels; many of whom are unable to conduct their business operations as usual. Our new studio facility in LA, which has been custom designed to maintain stringent safety standards whilst creating the highest possible quality content, leverages our unique skillset of broadcasting immersive performances digitally via the MelodyVR platform. It provides a viable, creative alternative for artists wishing to reach their fans whilst they are unable to perform publicly. During the pandemic, fans have continued to access MelodyVR at an accelerated rate, with smartphone installs of our app increasing by 1100% over the last 7 weeks, demonstrating both the demand and appetite for our content. Throughout the course of the year ahead, we will continue to serve our consumers and the music industry by creating and broadcasting performances to fans from our unique studio location in Los Angeles, as well as from other locations in different territories.
John Legend said: "Come and join me for a very special performance live from MelodyVR's studio on Saturday May 16. While we can't be together in person right now, I'm excited to share this moment with my fans."
"I've really missed getting to play shows and perform my songs live for an audience" explains Multi-talented pop singer, actress and songwriter Katelyn Tarver, "MelodyVR is a great way for me to get to do that in a way that feels really interactive and as close to the real thing as we can get right now! Music always makes me feel connected to myself and other people. I hope my performance can provide a little bit of that feeling for you, too."
About Live from LA
Performances will be broadcast on smartphones and VR headsets via the MelodyVR app (downloadable at on.melodyvr.com/App). Through MelodyVR's unique camera and production technology, viewers will be transported to a specially created, state-of-the-art set to experience unique immersive performances. Fans are able to virtually stand next to their heroes and experience the power of live performance without leaving their homes. The series is intended to support both the music industry and music lovers by providing artists with an innovative, personal way to perform and interact with their fans during this challenging time.
In order to prioritize the safety of the team, artists and wider community, social distancing and safety precautions are rigorously observed at all times. Taking advice from third party specialist advisors, the following measures are taken:
· Artists and performers remain in isolation for the duration of the performance, and do not come into contact with the public or on-site crew.
· MelodyVR's unique technology allows for the crew to communicate with artists and handle all technical and production needs from an entirely separate area. There is no direct, in-person interaction between artists, their teams and the MelodyVR team.
· Before and after each performance, the studio is extensively sanitized and cleaned using antibacterial agents, by a professional team.
· Artists have a separate entrance to the building and to the performance to enable them to drive from door to door, enter the building, perform, and head home, with no cross-contamination.
· There is a health and safety advisor on site at all times, to ensure the highest level of precautions are adhered to.
Artists revealed so far are as follows:
John Legend: Saturday May 16 at 6pm local time (PDT), 9pm (EDT) and 2am + 1 day (BST).
The Score: Sunday May 17 at 6pm local time (PDT), 9pm (EDT) and 2am + 1 day (BST).
Katelyn Tarver: Tuesday May 19 at 6pm local time (PDT), 9pm (EDT) and 2am + 1 day (BST).
More shows will be announced on the MelodyVR app on May 20.
About MelodyVR
MelodyVR launched in 2015 with a simple mandate: not to replace the live music experience, but to harness the power of virtual reality to get people closer to the music they love.
By using VR technology, the founders realized that they could place fans in the crowd or on stage with their favourite musicians at live events. From epic stadium shows to intimate studio performances, the possibilities are endless: capacity restrictions are eliminated, music lovers can attend otherwise sold-out dates, and the barriers (distance, age, cost, access) that might keep people from experiencing their heroes live are swept away. The result? Artists can reach more fans than ever before, with a level of intimacy which has previously not been possible.
MelodyVR is the only licensed VR music platform and has the world's largest library of exclusive immersive and interactive music experiences from the likes of Post Malone, Lewis Capaldi, Blake Shelton, Wiz Khalifa, Kelly Clarkson, Niall Horan, Fall Out Boy, Julia Michaels, KISS, The Chainsmokers and Imagine Dragons.
The Live from LA news comes on the back of MelodyVR's On Stage series, which allowed fans to relive some of its most popular shows. Also screening for free via the MelodyVR app, these global watch-backs included sold-out gigs from the likes of Imagine Dragons, Lewis Capaldi, Julia Michaels, Panic! At The Disco and Wiz Khalifa.
Available on smartphones and VR headsets, the MelodyVR app can be downloaded at on.melodyvr.com/App
For further information please contact:
EVR Holdings plc
Anthony Matchett, Executive Chairman & CEO email@evrholdings.com
Arden Partners plc: Nominated Adviser and Broker Tel: +44 (0) 20 7614 5900
Corporate Finance: Ciaran Walsh / Ruari McGirr / Ben Cryer
Corporate Broking: Simon Johnson