Not hip enough to make it to Coachella? Worry not, you can virtually visit the festival with the help of Google’s VR180 initiative.
YouTube is livestreaming the first of this year’s festivals, which takes place from April 13th – 15th (the second weekend from 20th – 22nd will not be streamed). Viewers will have the choice of four streams to follow certain stages so they can watch acts like Beyonce and The Weeknd from the comfort of their homes. Better yet, though, one of the channels is offering VR180 streaming with the following bands making an appearance throughout the weekend: Los Ángeles Azules, Elohim, SuperDuperKyle, the Neighbourhood, Whethan, Alan Walker, Vince Staples, Kygo Deorro Troy Boi, The Weeknd, Wizkid, Ekali, Nile Rodgers & CHIC, Party Favor, Chromeo, Tyler, the Creator, Post Malone.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mi0KQ3jHeGA
For those that don’t know, VR180 is Google’s new initiative to make VR video more accessible and manageable for the masses. You don’t get a full 360 degrees to look around (as the name suggests, it only shoots in 180 degrees) but you will have an easier time streaming content in higher quality. It also means you can strap your phone into a Google Cardboard headset or the Daydream View (if your phone is Daydream-ready) and enjoy performances as if you were really there.
Currently companies like Lenovo are making VR180 cameras which will be slowly rolling out to customers over the course of the year. Google hopes the initiative will finally help VR video take off. Can Coachella play a hand in that?
