Yoshiki, a Japanese rock pianist, upstaged his own performance when a Pepper's Ghost illusion of himself started a piano piece that he then interrupted. The X Japan front man staged the show at the SXSW music, film and interactive festival in Austin, Texas earlier this month. Yoshiki is no stranger to the technology as X Japan first used Pepper's Ghost illusions in a performance in 2011.
Yoshiki appeared on stage, introduced himself before starting
to play a piano. A few seconds into the
performance another Yoshiki appears and starts a musical battle
from a piano opposite the original performer.
Reports suggest
that the audience were astounded to discover that the initial
performer was a projected although the Pepper’s Ghost illusion
is clear on the video of the performance.
However,
the interaction between the two Yoshikis was dynamic and
included gestures between the two performers during a dramatic performance.