First it was Abba, and now a holographic Elvis Presley is to set to “perform” in London when the world’s first immersive experience dedicated to the “king of rock n roll” launches next May.
Tickets for the “Elvis Evolution” will go on sale on Thursday with prices starting at £75. It will be the third show at the £50 million Immerse LDN site at London Excel Waterfront in Docklands following the Formula 1 Exhibition and The Friends Experience: The One in London. Two more are planned.
The Jailhouse Rock superstar died in 1977 but is one of the most revered performers of all time with claimed sales of around 500 million records.
The AI powered Elvis Evolution experience has a capacity of just 180 and centres on Presley’s 1968 comeback special performance on NBC that has been described as the ‘greatestrock performance of all time’.
However, it will also recreate other key moments in his life and career from the early days of childhood spirituals in the crop fields of Tupelo, Mississippi, to the seven year Las Vegas residency in the late Sixties and Seventies.
The “multi-sensory” 110 minute show has been created by specialists Layered Reality in partnership with Elvis Presley Enterprises and Authentic Brands Group, the custodians of the Elvis Presley estate,
Visitors will also be able to eat before in a 1960s style American diner and stay on afterwards at the All Shook Up After-Party with live music and DJs.
The £75 standard fee includes access to the after party but there is also £180 and £300 VIP packages. There is no dynamic pricing.
Andrew McGuinness, founder and CEO of Layered Reality said: “Elvis Evolution is a next generation tribute to the musical legend that is Elvis Presley. Elvis maintains superstar status globally and people around the world no longer want to sit and passively receive entertainment – they want to be a part of it. It’ll be a memory-making experience that will be a bucket list item for Elvis fans and music lovers and for those who just love an uplifting night out.”
Joel Weinshanker, managing partner of Elvis Presley Enterprises said: “Elvis has always been more than just a performer; he represents an era, a cultural shift, and a connection that spans generations.With ‘Elvis Evolution,’ we are pushing the boundaries of how his legacy is experienced. Layered Reality’s immersive approach will allow fans to truly step into Elvis’ world and feel the energy and spirit of his music in an unprecedented way. We are excited to bring this new chapter of Elvis’ legacy to life, allowing fans to engage with his iconic music and larger-than-life persona in a deeply personal and interactive format.”
Damian Norman, director, Immersive Entertainment & Events of Excel, London said: “ At Immerse LDN, we are proud to be developing the UK’s first dedicated immersive entertainment district. A cornerstone of our vision is to collaborate with world-leading content creators, which is why we are thrilled to partner with Layered Reality to bringElvis Evolution to life.
“With their well-deserved reputation as a market leader in London’s immersive scene and their track record of delivering successful, long- running IP’s Layered Reality is the ideal partner to resurrect one of the best-selling artists in history. The music of Elvis continues to inspire and captivate audiences worldwide, and we couldn’t be moreexcited to welcome him to Immerse LDN.”
Immerse LDN forms part of ExCel’s £300-million investment programme , part of the wider Royal Docks regeneration plan that aims to bring an additional 2.5 million visitors to thearea every year, and create hundreds of new jobs.
