Hatsune Miku, a 16-year-old digital animation and virtual pop-star, has been on her first Australian tour, captivating fans with her classic hits setlist. Despite being a computer-generated character, she holds a special place in the hearts of many fans, showcasing the impact of Vocaloid software on modern pop music.
The Evolution of Hatsune Miku: A Legacy Act with a Classic Hits Setlist
Hatsune Miku is a digital animation and a 16-year-old “Vocaloid” virtual pop-star on her first Australian tour. Despite being a computer-generated character, she has a special place in the hearts of many fans.
A Legacy Act with a Classic Hits Setlist
Miku’s concert at John Cain Arena in Melbourne was a fun and low-stakes opportunity for fans to explore their identity. The show featured Miku performing her hit songs, including “World is Mine,” which sent the crowd into a frenzy. Some fans, like Tori, 19, wore green wigs and shirts as Mikuo, a gender-swapped male iteration of Miku.
The Impact of Vocaloid Software
Vocaloid software has been around since 2007 and has given rise to numerous chart-topping characters based on different voice banks. The software’s deceptive mimicry has long been a harbinger of today’s generative AI models, which have been trained on artists’ voices often without permission or compensation.
The Future of Pop Music
As open-sourced pop is on the cusp of breaking into the mainstream, questions are being raised about whether pop music can survive in an era where AI-generated music is becoming increasingly indistinguishable from human music. Grimes has announced that artists can use AI representations of her voice in exchange for a 50-50 royalties split.
The Rise of Vocaloid Music
Vocaloid tracks are now big in Japan, frequently entering and sometimes topping the country’s mainstream pop charts. Billboard even created a Vocaloid-specific music chart, Niconico. Since its release in 2007, Miku’s first demo has spawned more than 100,000 largely fan-made songs, mostly generated by Japan’s otaku community.
Can Pop Survive?
As we soon won’t tell the difference between AI and human music, it’s unclear whether pop can survive. Miku’s legacy act status may be a sign of things to come, as open-sourced pop breaks into the mainstream.
A Legacy of Devotion
For some fans, Miku’s legacy extends far beyond her music. Kon, a 36-year-old fan since 2008, revealed that he had been a fan before he had a job, family, or kids. His devotion to Miku is a testament to the enduring power of pop culture.
Miku’s Impact on Identity
For fans like Tori, Miku’s concert was an opportunity to explore their identity and connect with others who share similar interests. The show’s inclusive atmosphere and Miku’s music have created a sense of community among fans that transcends age, gender, and cultural boundaries.
