Life in AR

Life in AR transforms any space into a concert venue using augmented reality. Fans watch live shows, tip artists, and trigger effects—bringing performances to life wherever they are.

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Inspiration

The spark for Life in AR came from a deep love for live music and the frustration of missing out on in-person events due to distance, cost, or limited access. We envisioned a way to bring the magic of live concerts to anyone, anywhere, using augmented reality as the bridge between artists and fans. The global shift toward immersive experiences inspired us to create a space where concerts are not just watched but lived—right from your room, park, or street corner.

What it does

Life in AR is a platform that allows users to attend live music concerts in augmented reality through their mobile device. Artists can broadcast performances via our Concert Control Center, while fans experience the show with spatial visuals like ripple waveforms, stage effects, and AR artist projections. Users can choose a concert, tap "Go Live," and instantly be part of an immersive performance, complete with interactive visuals and sound-reactive elements.

How we built it

We used:

  • React + Tailwind CSS for the web UI to mirror Spotify's polished layout.
  • Expo (React Native) for mobile, ensuring cross-platform AR access.
  • 8th Wall and Three.js for WebAR capabilities.
  • Agora SDK for real-time video/audio streaming.
  • Bolt.new for streamlined deployment and sponsor integrations.
  • Lottie animations and shaders for visual effects like ripple waves and ambient mist.

The app is modular, with endpoints connected for artist management, AR rendering, and live broadcast logic.

Challenges we ran into

  • WebAR rendering consistency across devices was tricky, especially with performance optimization.
  • Syncing live audio with AR animations in real-time required precise tuning.
  • Installing and managing web + mobile dependencies with Bolt’s structure took time to debug.
  • Internet limitations slowed testing of real-time features like "Go Live."
  • Fitting all sponsor SDKs while maintaining performance and UX was a balance.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

  • Created a working AR concert prototype that mirrors premium platforms like Spotify in design.
  • Integrated real-time livestreaming with responsive visuals and ripple feedback.
  • Designed a Concert Control Center that allows artists to manage their performances.
  • Brought together multiple technologies (React, Expo, 8th Wall, Agora) into one cohesive app.

What we learned

  • How to build and ship AR + livestream apps rapidly with Bolt and external SDKs.
  • The importance of performance-first design when dealing with mobile AR.
  • How to create immersive experiences with minimal assets but maximum effect.
  • How to keep teams and tools synced between web and mobile components.

What's next for Life in AR

  • Add ticketing integration and virtual merch stores using platforms like RevenueCat or Stripe alternatives for Africa.
  • Improve artist onboarding with automated stage templates and AR avatar uploads.
  • Expand to multi-user AR concerts, where friends can attend together and interact.
  • Partner with African artists to make Life in AR a showcase for regional music culture globally.
  • Launch a public beta across Botswana and South Africa, then scale globally.

Built With

  • lottie
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