Black Eyed Peas have canceled their upcoming residency at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino’s PH Live in Las Vegas. The band, whose concerts were set to kick off on Feb. 15, offered a vague explanation, citing “current circumstances” as the reason.
“To our dearest Peabodies,” the group wrote in an Instagram Story. “It is with a heavy heart that, in light of current circumstances, our Las Vegas shows will not be moving forward as planned. Ticket providers will issue full refunds automatically. Stay tuned for updates on future performances by following us — we can’t wait to see you again.”
Dubbed Black Eyed Peas: 3008 The Las Vegas Experience, the residency was scheduled to take place over three five-concert segments from February through May with 15 shows in total.
“Our first residency in Las Vegas gives Black Eyed Peas the opportunity to do what we do best, to dream up something brand new and creative that pushes the boundaries of the live show experience,” Will.i.am said in a statement when the shows were announced in September.
In addition to band members Will.i.am, Apple de Ap, Taboo and J. Rey Soul (who joined in 2018 after Fergie exited), it was revealed that an AI named Vida would be part of Black Eyed Peas during the Las Vegas concerts. The musician confirmed that Vida is not a hologram, but would sing with the human group members at various points in the show.
“With a hologram, you have to experience it with a hologram projector, so you could only do that when the show is in Vegas,” Will.i.am told USA Today. “When we have an AI member of the Black Eyed Peas, you can engage and communicate 24/7… our member of the group will be patched into every band member, stage hands, and the audience, if they want to engage with her… It’s going to be the most interactive pre, during and post-show experience and if there is a place to have that experience, it’s going to be in Vegas.”
He added, “When I was running around the projects as a kid in L.A. and Apple was running around in the Philippines, to think that we would have the first AI member of a globally recognized urban pop-hip-hop group… man.”
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