A hologram of the late singer Amy Winehouse will be embarking on a three-year world tour, kicking-off in 2019.
Amy’s father, Mitch Winehouse, shared the news on Thursday, claiming that he was “delighted” to team up with Base Hologram. During the tour, a live band will accompany vocals from Amy’s original recordings.
Our family is delighted to be teaming up with @BASEhologram to continue celebrating the life and work of Amy, with all proceeds of the tour, starting in late 2019, going to Amy’s Foundation to help even more young people in her name. https://t.co/F9M5V9Z8Qn
— mitch winehouse (@mitchwinehouse) October 11, 2018
We’re excited to announce that we’re partnering with the family of GRAMMY Award-winning artist @amywinehouse to celebrate her legacy. This worldwide hologram tour, set to start in late 2019, will raise funds and awareness for @AmysFoundation! ? https://t.co/K0CIPH6Tty pic.twitter.com/GyR0ygyPEc
— BASE Hologram (@BASEHologram) October 11, 2018
“We experienced first-hand how these hologram shows celebrate great artists,” Mitch said in a statement. “This is a wonderful way to bring focus back to her musical legacy, as well as raising funds for the Amy Winehouse Foundation. It’s time to remind everyone that Amy was one of the great musicians and performers.”
While Mitch says that all funds will go towards the foundation in Amy’s name, not everyone is keen of the idea. On Twitter, fans lashed out at Mitch for ‘exploiting’ the star and ‘tarnishing her legacy.’
I didn’t know her personally but I saw her documentary (it really impacted me) and I’m pretty sure she’d find this kind of ridiculous…
— Someya (@SomeyaMusic) October 12, 2018
an Amy Winehouse hologram will be on tour for three years im absolutely disgusted. Like she hasn’t been exploited enough??! Let her rest in peace and stop tarnishing her legacy.
— Nick (@neutrl_) October 12, 2018
Hologram of Amy Winehouse set for 2019 worldwide tour. Really?? A hologram?? Nice to see her dad is still milking her for every penny https://t.co/lH58EtWm5b
— JeFg (@Jefizus) October 12, 2018
I’m glad you’re not seeing a penny of the money but even through the medium of twitter I can read between the lines and know this is somehow a PR stunt for your own scheme… I’d pay anything to see Amy again but this is distasteful.
— David Statter @ #BLE2018 (@david_statter) October 12, 2018
Listen to her fans. She’d hate this.
She was exhausted. Hated touring.
Cried for REST ????♀️ this makes no sense.Let her memory be just that ~ a memory.
The money involved to bring this to the stage ~ is probably ridiculous. Save it.
We can watch her on YouTube ?
— Orphaned Annie (@orphaned_annie) October 12, 2018
Many fans suggested that instead of a hologram tour, real artists should perform tribute concerts covering her songs. However, hologram tours are quite popular; the tours have been used before with deceased artists like Michael Jackson, Tupac Shakur, and Roy Orbison.
Nonetheless, Mitch said that the hologram tour is “a dream for us” and to be able to see her perform live again, even as a hologram, “really can’t be put into words.”
“Our daughter’s music touched the lives of millions of people, and it means everything that her legacy will continue in this innovative and groundbreaking way,” he said.
Winehouse, who suffered from a drug and alcohol addiction, died at 27-years-old due to alcohol poisoning in 2011. Her final studio album, Back to Black, featured smash-hit songs “Rehab,” “You Know I’m No Good,” and “Back To Black.” This November, a new documentary will be released, giving fans insight on the creation of the LP.
