November 2025

22 ARTISTS WITHOUT BORDERS TOURING IN THE DIGITAL ERA Welcome to the age of borderless music, where artists can perform live in Tokyo, SãoPaulo,andNewYork—allinonenight. Virtual Stages, Real Connection The pandemic may have forced art- ists online, but what began as a neces- sity has become a creative revolution. Platforms like Wave, Stageverse, and Veeps have transformed how artists tour, offering immersive, interactive concert experiences that rival — and sometimes surpass — traditional shows. Pop icons like Post Malone and Travis Scott havealreadyproven thepowerofvir- tual touring. Scott’s Fortnite performance in 2020 drew over 27 million viewers; today, that number feels modest. In 2025, hybrid events often blend physical per- formances with live-streamed VR coun- terparts, giving global audiences a front- row seat without the carbon footprint. “Digital touring doesn’t replace the live experience,” says Elena Cruz, head of digital engagement at Live Nation. “It expands it. The connec- tion between artist and fan can now cross every time zone — instantly.” The Economics of Digital Touring Beyond convenience, virtual tours are re- writing the business model. Without ven- ue rentals, shipping costs, or crew travel, artists can reinvest more into production and fan engagement. Platforms like Mo- ment House and Twitch Music allow for dynamic ticketing, tipping, and exclusive behind-the-scenes access— turning con- certs into full-fledged digital economies. Independent artists are reaping the big- gest rewards. By building direct-to-fan ecosystems, they bypass traditional gatekeepers and create sustainable rev- enue streams from global audiences. As Billboard’s 2025 Music Economy Report notes, the average mid-level artist who incorporates digital touring earns 35% more annually than those relying solely on physical shows. Technology Meets Emotion The future of touring isn’t about re - placing human energy — it’s about amplifying it. With advances in mixed reality and AI-driven audio engi- neering, artists can now perform in fully immersive environments that adapt in real time to audience re- actions. Imagine a holographic DJ set where the visuals pulse in sync with global fan data, or a pop artist who invites fans to remix her setlist mid-performance through live polls. As an artist what do you think about the advances in technology? Photos by | Sebastian Ervi