VR Music Activities! Try Exhibiting at MusicVket

■ Greetings

This is my third post. I usually create Vocaloid songs and Lo-Fi BGM, but recently, I started wondering if I could engage in music activities in the virtual world. In this post, I’d like to introduce the details of MusicVket and how to exhibit at the event, based on my personal experience. This guide is for those who, like me, are considering expanding their music activities into VR.

■ What is MusicVket?

MusicVket is a VR music marketplace hosted by VR company HIKKY.
Official MusicVket Website: https://music4.vket.com/

HIKKY is also known for organizing Virtual Market (Vket), the largest virtual marketplace festival, where visitors can freely try on, view, and purchase 3D avatars and 3D models in a virtual space. This event has been held annually since 2018.
MusicVket can be seen as the music-focused version of Vket.

The event takes place within VRChat, a social VR game originating from the United States. The game itself is free to play, and there are no admission or exhibition fees for the event.
With over 150,000 participants worldwide, one of MusicVket’s biggest features is its strong global presence—VRChat itself has a large number of overseas users, making the event an international affair for both exhibitors and attendees.

Even though the event is called ‘virtual’, you don’t need a head-mounted display (HMD) to participate. As long as you have a computer, you can access the virtual venue from anywhere.
This means that even if you're not particularly interested in VR or find buying a VR headset inconvenient, anyone who uses a computer can easily try it out
(For PC-only play, a headset with a microphone makes chatting in the venue more enjoyable. Also, VRChat requires a Windows environment with at least an Intel Core i5 processor.)

Previous venues are still accessible in VRChat, so I recommend creating a VRChat account and exploring a Vket world as a test run.

■ When is it held?

MusicVket 4 will be held from June 18 (Sat.) to June 26 (Sun.), 2022.
At the time of writing (April 18), the application deadline for exhibitors has already passed. If you’re interested in exhibiting in the future, follow MusicVket’s Twitter to stay updated on the next application period.

Official MusicVket Twitter: https://twitter.com/MusicVket

This time, there were 342 applications for just 300 available booths. Once you apply, all you can do is hope to pass the lottery!
Since the next application period is still some time away, I recommend installing VRChat and visiting MusicVket 4 in June 2022 as a preview if you're considering exhibiting in the future.

■ How to Apply

First, you need to install VRChat. Register on the following website, and once you’re able to enjoy VR with your avatar, proceed with the MusicVket application!
VRChat Official Website: https://hello.vrchat.com/
*There are many guides on how to start VRChat, so I will not cover that here.

Once you’re able to access VRChat, the general process is as follows:

1. Apply for exhibition (Requires Google account registration on the MusicVket official site)
2. Pass the lottery
3. Submit materials
4. Wait for the event to open

When the application period starts, you’ll receive an announcement via the official Twitter (https://twitter.com/MusicVket). After that, register and log in to the official website to apply.

If you pass the lottery and your exhibition is confirmed, enter your circle information on the official website. After logging in, you’ll also find a link to join the MusicVket Discord. I highly recommend joining, as you can ask the organizers questions directly and access useful information.

During the submission period, you will upload your product images, preview tracks, and other materials via the official site. You can check the real-time display to see how your booth will look.

For a better understanding of the submission process, you can watch a video from MusicVket 3, which was broadcast before the event.

■ My Experience at MusicVket 3

The previous event, MusicVket 3, was held from November 6 (Sat.) to November 14 (Sun.), 2021.

At the event, attendees could preview and purchase music from various booths. Exhibited genres included Vocaloid, band music, electronic music, and more—there are no restrictions on genre.

When submitting your materials, you can link to your preferred distribution platforms, such as Bandcamp or Booth, so you’re free to choose your own sales method. You can exhibit previously released songs as well. The primary format is digital music downloads, but you can also sell physical CDs.

When a visitor approaches a booth, a vertical banner on the left and a price list on the right will pop up. If you have a video, you can enable MV previews as well. When a video plays, special effects appear in the booth's background, making the display even more vibrant!

Unlike physical events, MusicVket doesn’t require you to stay at your booth all the time. (Of course, you’re free to stay and interact with visitors if you’d like!) This makes it an enjoyable experience for both exhibitors and attendees alike.

■ Final Thoughts

In recent years, physical events have faced attendance restrictions due to COVID-19. Even when events are held, strict infection control measures are necessary, making event planning more challenging. In such times, VR events provide an excellent alternative for hosting and participating in gatherings.
Why not explore VR as a new avenue for your music activities?

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