In what surely signals the imminent rise of the machines, a Japanese hologram performed on Late Show With David Letterman last night. Known as Hatsune Miku, the star is a “vocaloid,” an animated character that “sings” with the help of a synthesizer and performs with a backing band made of real but soon-to-be-obsolete people.
The blue-haired pop star is hugely popular in Japan, but this was “her” debut on American network television. Earlier this summer, Hatsune Miku opened for Lady Gaga’s “artRave: The ARTPOP Ball Tour” tour during its first month.
Last night, the hologram sang her hit single, “Sharing the World,” and though the lyrics were tough to make out, the crowd seemed to be super impressed with the bubbly and energetic performance. Meanwhile, the 67-year-old Letterman, who is usually very excited about lesser-known acts like rap whirlwind Lizzo and Baltimore synth-punks Future Islands, seemed just a little perplexed by the whole thing. “Okay,” he said following the performance. “There she is.”
