The O2 Arena is set to headline its first ever virtual artist – Japanese Vocaloid Hatsune Miku.
A popular virtual idol both online and in-concert, she is powered completely by music software and performs through animated hologram projections.
The news of her upcoming tour has sparked both intense excitement from fans and levels of scepticism from emerging musicians.
Steven*, 30, organiser of UK Vocaloid fan event Vocafest, called the concert ‘long overdue’, considering how quickly her previous London shows sold out, including ones at Olympia and Wembley Stadium.
Events featuring virtual idols in London are in higher demand than ever. Vocafest’s next event at the Union Theatre in Southwark is now being held over two days because it booked up much quicker than previous events, Steven said.
However, the tour announcement has also given rise to feelings of inauthenticity within musicians.
Many believe virtual idols are a slippery slope to normalising AI music.
Even though the music played at Hatsune Miku’s large concerts is made by people, many find the human aspect imperceptible.
London-based musician Georgina Grassie said: “With music like that, [you can hear] a lot of the time it has been digitally done.”
Steven describes Hatsune Miku as more of a ‘tool’ for artists to express themselves.
Her parent company, Crypton Future Media Inc., allows fans to make music with her voice through selling her software, some of which is played at concerts.
He highlights the importance of community in this musical subculture, as all songs and animations at his events are made by volunteers.
This increases the sense of closeness between fans: “she reflects the thoughts and feelings of all the fans. In that way she’s an idol of the traditional sense.”
On the other hand, Grassie believes virtual artists cannot provide the kind of connection felt with human artists at live music events.
“Digital artists can’t replace real artists and the presence they bring, the fire, and the energy,” she said.
“I don’t know how people are gonna go to a venue and watch that.”
The O2 Arena press office has been contacted for comment.
Hatsune Miku will be playing the at the O2 arena on November 12 as part of Miku Expo Europe 2026.
*Not his real name.
Featured image credit: MIKI Yoshihito via Flickr
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