Whitney Houston hologram UK arena tour announced for 2020

Whitney Houston, 2004 Credit: Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Would you pay to see a hologram?

A Whitney Houston hologram tour has been confirmed to hit UK arena in 2020. Full dates and ticket details are below.

The soul legend and celebrated actress passed away seven years a... age of 48. After being found unconscious in a bath in a Beverley Hills hotel, a coroner found that her cause of death was dr...ocaine use”.

Divisive plans for a holo... some time, but now the An Evening With Whitney: The Whitney Houston Hologram Tour has been confirmed for February and March 2020.

Whitney Houston in Concert at Earls Court Exhibition Centre, London, 5th November 1993. The Bodyguard World Tour 1993

The tour promises “state-of-the-art proprietary holographic technology and combined with unmatched Broadway theatrical stagecraft, a live band, back-up singers and dancers set to digitally remastered arrangements of her classic songs” while “the production will be helmed by acclaimed choreographer Fatima Robinson” (Dreamgirls, The Academy Awards).

• Read more: We got a sneak...nd-blowing

The new show is the work of Base Entertainment – which has previously pioneered holo...oy Orbison. The company were also responsible for developing an Amy Winehouse tour, before plans for a likeness of the late singer were ultimately put on ice.

Whitney Houston

“Whitney Houston was a talent beyond words, and her influence and artistry transcended all boundaries,” said Brian Becker, Chairman & CEO, BASE Entertainment and BASE Hologram. “What we are creating here is a new type of theatrical concert experience designed to capture that magic. When she performed there was an unmatched level of charisma and emotion to it – that’s what we are going to bring to audiences and it’s an honour to be able to help add to her legacy with this project.”

Pat Houston, Whitney’s former Manager and President and CEO of The Estate of Whitney E. Houston added: “A hologram show is all about the imagination and creating a ‘wow factor’ that extends to an incredible experience to enjoy for years to come.

• Read more: Are hologram t...good idea?

“Whitney is not with us but her music will live with us forever. We know we made the right decision partnering with BASE because they understand how important it is to produce a phenomenal hologram. They also know that engaging her fans with an authentic Whitney experience would resonate worldwide because of the iconic status that she created over three decades. Her fans deserve nothing less because she gave nothing less than her best.”

Read more at https://www.nme.com/news/music

So morbid.

this is sad and embarassing,smh

How does this work? Will there be 'real' bandmembers/musicians onstage with the holgram? or will they simply use holograms for her backup band?

RJOrion said:

the O.D.B. hologram looks scarily realistic.

That one is equaly bad as the 2Pac and MJ one.
When I watched the Wu-Tang set on GlastonBury this year they had some lookalike doing some ODB impression. that was really awkward.

SoulAlive said:

JorisE73 said:

Everyone knows this woman is dead, it's like watching a ghost performing.

I can't imagine what footage they would project for her hologram. What head-to-toe film exists of a full Whitney concert?


The MJ hologram in Vegas and on the 2014 Billboard Awards looked like an impersonator being projected.

I really like how Queen used a hologram of Freddie for about a total of 10 minutes of their concert during their current tour. It was touching. I remember many people there and even some critics said that more than that would have not worked, and I agree. I would have no interest in seeing an entire hologram performance of Whitney or anyone. Much rather just watch a filmed version of one of their greatest performance.

I think the whole idea is demented, especially without the performers agreement to this while still alive. Turning beloved icons into souless puppets ready to dance and sing for our amusement is selfish at best. Who decides what songs they do, what they wear, who and where they perform? Giant souless companies that don't give a shit about the artist beliefs, taste, or wishes will make the decisions. How soon until Apple or some other megacompany buys the rights to force a hologram Prince to endorse the iphone 99?

Just because you can do a thing doesn't mean you should do a thing.

[Edited 9/21/19 10:38am]

BalladofPeterParker said:

I think the whole idea is demented, especially without the performers agreement to this while still alive. Turning beloved icons into souless puppets ready to dance and sing for our amusement is selfish at best. Who decides what songs they do, what they wear, who and where they perform? Giant souless companies that don't give a shit about the artist beliefs, taste, or wishes will make the decisions. How soon until Apple or some other megacompany buys the rights to force a hologram Prince to endorse the iphone 99?

Just because you can do a thing doesn't mean you should do a thing.

[Edited 9/21/19 10:38am]

I agree...the whole thing really creeps me out! It's so morbid, like you're being entertained by a corpse, and something about that is just not right!

[Edited 9/21/19 15:16pm]

BalladofPeterParker said:

Turning beloved icons into souless puppets ready to dance and sing for our amusement is selfish at best.

But what's the difference in this and those 1990s commercials with Fred Astaire dancing with a Dirt Devil, putting Bruce Lee or John Lennon in a video game, a Beatles/Michael Jackson Cirque du Soleil show, going to see a tribute band, getting married by an Elvis Presley impersonator in Vegas, or the 1990s & early 2000s Elvis: The Concert tours with his original 1970s musicians and background singers including Cissy Houston, Whitney's mother. They played live to Elvis vocals and footage shown on a screen. There's also the case of multiple versions of band. At one point there were at least 5 different Temptations groups, each featuring various former members. The companies wouldn't do these kinds of things if enough people didn't support it to make a profit. The people who want to see it will. It's not a big deal.

MickyDolenz said:

BalladofPeterParker said:

Turning beloved icons into souless puppets ready to dance and sing for our amusement is selfish at best.

But what's the difference in this and those 1990s commercials with Fred Astaire dancing with a Dirt Devil, putting Bruce Lee or John Lennon in a video game, a Beatles/Michael Jackson Cirque du Soleil show, going to see a tribute band, getting married by an Elvis Presley impersonator in Vegas, or the 1990s & early 2000s Elvis: The Concert tours with his original 1970s musicians and background singers including Cissy Houston, Whitney's mother. They played live to Elvis vocals and footage shown on a screen. There's also the case of multiple versions of band. At one point there were at least 5 different Temptations groups, each featuring various former members. The companies wouldn't do these kinds of things if enough people didn't support it to make a profit. The people who want to see it will. It's not a big deal.

I'd rather see a LIVE impersonator do a tribute concert than a lifeless projected "ghost" of the original artist any time...

I am not a fan of hologram shows

purplethunder3121 said:

I'd rather see a LIVE impersonator do a tribute concert than a lifeless projected "ghost" of the original artist any time...

What about the CGI Marlon Brando in Superman Returns? He wasn't alive when the movie was made, and even if he was, they based it on his appearance in the 1978 Superman.

MickyDolenz said:

Typical, lame-o, industry b.s. 2 make $. And she really wasn't THAT amazing in MY opinion.

MickyDolenz said:

BalladofPeterParker said:

Turning beloved icons into souless puppets ready to dance and sing for our amusement is selfish at best.

But what's the difference in this and those 1990s commercials with Fred Astaire dancing with a Dirt Devil, putting Bruce Lee or John Lennon in a video game, a Beatles/Michael Jackson Cirque du Soleil show, going to see a tribute band, getting married by an Elvis Presley impersonator in Vegas, or the 1990s & early 2000s Elvis: The Concert tours with his original 1970s musicians and background singers including Cissy Houston, Whitney's mother. They played live to Elvis vocals and footage shown on a screen. There's also the case of multiple versions of band. At one point there were at least 5 different Temptations groups, each featuring various former members. The companies wouldn't do these kinds of things if enough people didn't support it to make a profit. The people who want to see it will. It's not a big deal.

To answer your questions:

Fred Astaire thing Dirt Devil commercial: WHo said there was a difference? I considered it bizarre at the time it came out. Again, let's see how you feel when an artist you respect is forced to endorse cheese whiz from the grave.

Bruce Lee and John Lennon in video games is not the same at all. They are depicted as cartoonish at best representations of themselves. There's no attempt to create an illusion that they are real. You KNOW that comparison was a reach and very weak attempt at making a salient point, the same can be said about your impersonators question.

Regarding people supporting them:

So because a large number of people are dumb enough to support such an assinine project that makes it ok? I guess that explains Beiber.

I guess we will just have to agree to disagree, have a good time at the show. I'll be satisfied with the memories.

[Edited 9/22/19 10:58am]

[Edited 9/22/19 10:59am]

[Edited 9/22/19 11:00am]

BalladofPeterParker said:

Again, let's see how you feel when an artist you respect is forced to endorse cheese whiz from the grave.

I don't care about it. I can either like it or ignore it. I don't see anything to complain about. Sounds like first world problems to me. It's not that serious.

BalladofPeterParker said:

Regarding people supporting them:

So because a large number of people are dumb enough to support such an assinine project that makes it ok? I guess that explains Beiber

Going by these comments you're a music snob because there is nothing wrong with Justin Beiber. And people aren't dumb if they want to see a hologram concert. I guess I'm not worthy of your "superior taste" for "real music by real musicians".

MickyDolenz said:

BalladofPeterParker said:

Again, let's see how you feel when an artist you respect is forced to endorse cheese whiz from the grave.

I don't care about it. I can either like it or ignore it. I don't see anything to complain about. Sounds like first world problems to me. It's not that serious.

BalladofPeterParker said:

Regarding people supporting them:

So because a large number of people are dumb enough to support such an assinine project that makes it ok? I guess that explains Beiber

Going by these comments you're a music snob because there is nothing wrong with Justin Beiber. And people aren't dumb if they want to see a hologram concert. I guess I'm not worthy of your "superior taste" for "real music by real musicians".

Oh wow your going to come on here and use the classic "first world problems" to dismiss everything instead of standing up for your convictions, well played. Regarding my taste in music, how do you know who I like beyond Prince? What does that have to do with holograms? Try using logic and clear concise arguments instead of insults...or don't.

Post a few more meaningless animated gifs next time...

MickyDolenz said:

purplethunder3121 said:

I'd rather see a LIVE impersonator do a tribute concert than a lifeless projected "ghost" of the original artist any time...

What about the CGI Marlon Brando in Superman Returns? He wasn't alive when the movie was made, and even if he was, they based it on his appearance in the 1978 Superman.

I don't have any problem with CGI in movies or even holograms, if the actor (or heirs) signs off on it. But, for me personally, seeing a hologram of a person in what is supposed to be a live musical performance doesn't appeal at all. I'd rather see concert footage or a human impersonator. The key word is LIVE...

You guys are scaring the shit out of me with the potential for using their hologram CGI likeness to endorse products.

one day it will all be cgi...just pay the estate of the performer and no one has to work

jfenster said:

one day it will all be cgi...just pay the estate of the performer and no one has to work

once we have a generation raised on entirely autotuned vocals, they can create robot performers who make artificially produced hits, and these robots will sign any endorsement deal