Reinventing reality

Holograms are moving from the stage to funeral halls to museums

- VAISHALI DAR

From singer Sidhu Moosewala's posthumous world tour to courtroom witnesses, holograms are popping up at unexpected places. But while the emotional and experiential possibilities are vast, the rise of the virtual afterlife also invites ethical questions about consent, authenticity, and emotional impact.

With late Punjabi singer-rapper Sidhu Moosewala set to go on a posthumous world tour in 2026, not in person, but as a hologram, the series of concerts, titled 'The Signed to God World Tour', promises to bring Moosewala 'back to life' through 3D projections, synced vocals, cinematic visuals and immersive stage effects. The tours are planned in Punjab, Toronto, London and Los Angeles, and this virtual spectacle will allow fans to connect with the artiste who was tragically killed in 2022. The tour's website calls it "a celebration of a soul who broke boundaries in life and continues to inspire beyond it".

This isn't the first time when a singer's virtual return will be staged. In 2012, a holographic Tupac Shakur shocked audiences at Coachella, appearing on stage with Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre. Since then, audiences have witnessed holographic performances from guitarists like Roy Orbison, Frank Zappa, and singers Ronnie James Dio, Whitney Houston and Amy Winehouse.