Paper short abstract:

This presentation will elucidate the possibilities of performance in virtual space and its social aspects through the musical practices of VR platform users, as well as deal with gender/sexuality conflicts through the avatars that wrap their bodies.

Paper long abstract:

This presentation will elucidate the possibilities of performance in virtual space and its social aspects through the musical practices of VR platform users, as well as deal with gender/sexuality conflicts through the avatars that wrap their bodies.

With the spread of inexpensive HMDs (head-mounted displays), VR technology has become much more accessible. In Japan, there are now nearly 20,000 VTubers (Virtual YouTubers), streamers who perform using 2D and 3D CGI virtual characters. They engage in creative activities such as gameplay, music production, and illustration on digital platforms such as YouTube, Niconico, bilibili, VRChat, and cluster.

The Covid-19 pandemic not only hit the world but also seriously impacted the Japanese music industry. Music venues were closed, and events were cancelled one after another. At the same time, however, this crisis became an opportunity to hold music events in virtual spaces: VR platform users are organizing large-scale concerts and music conventions on VR online platforms. Some of them have even built their own nightclubs on VR platforms or created huge music installation art on cyberspace. Interestingly is how they also try to shed their own masculinity by dressing up in avatar bodies, some in pursuit of "kawaii", thereby raising the question of gender/sexuality.

Through an analysis of the music activities of these VR users spatially, this presentation will novel about the friction and overcoming of gender in Japanese society there. It will also reveal how participants create and maintain their scenes with a focus on spatiality, locality, and identity.