YouTube stars get their own festival
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Singing sensation … YouTube star Kimmi Smiles recently guested with Jai Waetford in the video for his new single Shy. Picture: Supplied.
Source: Supplied
FORGET festivals headlined by pop stars — the big names to get teens out of their bedrooms and into a venue are social media sensations.
Following last year’s YouTube Fanfest, the Amplify 2015 “shows” will highlight the music and comedic talents of some of the world’s biggest vloggers.
Local triple threat Troye Sivan — actor, musician, vlogger — and American online entrepreneur Connor Franta lead the roll call of young internet stars whose virtual fans are becoming real ticket buyers.
Kiwi internet commentator Jamie Curry (Jamie’s World), Melbourne singer Kimmi Smiles and selfie king Kurt Coleman have also been booked for the inaugural Amplify school holiday shows.
Selfie king … Australian vlogger Kurt Coleman describes himself as a “spray tan addict” on his profile. Picture: Supplied.
Source: News Corp Australia
The young content kings and queens have a combined fandom of 20 million people across all the obvious social media platforms from YouTube to Snapchat.
Sivan is shaping up to be Australia’s biggest musical export for the year with his debut EP last year catching his American label by surprise as it rocketed to the top of iTunes charts worldwide.
He was recently tapped by designer Hedi Slimane to strut his stuff on the Yves Saint Laurent catwalk at Paris Fashion Week.
With conventional festivals struggling to sell out, the under 18s focused internet events are proving wildly popular with young fans who want to press the flesh with their online heroes.
