Second Life

Second Life

'I've probably performed 75 or more concerts since my first in December,' says New York-based professional pianist Louis Landon. 'I currently play five steady gigs a week, but one Friday I actually played four different gigs.'

The American, who studied at Boston Conservatory and Berklee College of Music, is talking about virtual concerts. His venue of choice is Second Life, an internet destination like no other. It is half computer game, half online community - and since 2003 over 5m people have signed up as 'residents'. Almost 2m have logged on in the last two months and, in one week alone, 500,000 people will typically enjoy their second life on the web.

New Second Life residents pick their name and their appearance (known as an 'avatar'), which they can edit at any point during their stay. Muso, for example, is represented in Second Life by 'Mews Oh', a male disco dancer with surprisingly accurate pecks.

A basic account is free but committed Second Lifers can subscribe to a premium account for £5 per month, which allows them to own virtual land - virtual plots, and even islands - where they can build property and host events. Last year Ailin Graef, a Chinese woman based in Germany, claimed to have built a Second Life property portfolio worth over £500,000 from her initial £5 investment. Others make money by producing and selling virtual art, clothes and even vehicles.

'I just bought an island and I have very high hopes for the future'

Landon is one of hundreds of musicians who perform in this virtual world. Some play for 'tips' (Second Life has its own currency - Linden dollars [L$] - that can be exchanged for real money), while others - like U2 and Duran Duran - perform to promote new releases. Landon charges L$1,000 (about £2) for a ticket, which includes a free mp3 as well as access to a 90-minute performance, and also rakes in up to US$40 (£20) per concert in tips. 'I usually deduct costs and have an arrangement with the venue owner, but I do alright,' he says. 'I just bought an island and I have very high hopes for the future.'

Landon even has a manager in this virtual world. 'I met her early on,' he explains. 'Her name is Kalliope Thetan. She now takes care of 90 per cent of my bookings; she pretty much handles all my biz now. I pay her a percentage that we are both happy with. She has just picked up another artist named Gideon, a classical pianist, and she is now actively looking for the best entertainment in Second Life to manage.'

Magnatune, an online record label, was also quick to spot Second Life's potential. It has established its own Second Life area, where visitors can try out its catalogue, wear a t-shirt and even play a grand piano - all for free. 'It took about a month to build the Magnatune space,' says Magnatune founder John Buckman.

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