Snake Denton is an award-winning pop culture journalist and presenter. When he’s not behind his laptop screen or in front of the camera, he’s running up and down the wing for East London’s Stonewall FC. At the time of writing, he has still not been called up to the England national team.

Snake Denton

Snake Denton

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What does an Elvis superfan make of the King’s new London immersive experience?

What does an Elvis superfan make of the King’s new London immersive experience?

It’s a 25C evening in July, and I’m standing outside an exhibition centre in a black leather suit. These are the sort of things I do for the love of Elvis Presley. And I’m not alone. Almost 50 years after his death, the King of Rock ’n’ Roll continues to inspire an intense devotion that borders on the religious. This is the bet that the creators of Elvis Evolution, the newest immersive live experience to arrive at the ExCeL Waterfront, are banking on.  No, this isn’t a bloated sequel to Baz Luhrmann’s 2022 biopic, or yet another expensive showcase for his bejewelled Las Vegas suits. According to the show’s website it’s a ‘first of its kind’ 110-minute experience that combines cutting-edge VR and AI technology with live music and theatre, allowing superfans like myself to ‘relive The King’s most iconic moments’. If that description has you scratching your head, you’re not alone – I have next to no idea what I’m about to see during this exclusive sneak peek at the experience.  The King Lives On  So what exactly is Elvis Evolution? Am I about to see my greatest idol come back from the dead thanks to the power of VR and AI? And are high-tech homages like this one the future of live entertainment or the devil in disguise? Photograph: Jess Hand The show begins in a neon-drenched 1950s diner that evokes a nostalgic sense of Americana. This is the first in a trio of themed bars that each group of up to 160 Elvis fans passes through on their walkthrough. It’s the kind of mom and pop