At last night’s “Downloaded” party and concert at New York’s Highline Ballroom, Digital Content Partners proved beyond a doubt that online success stories carry over into the real world, too.
Showcasing their roster of online, grassroots artists, DCP filled the room with 500+ rabid fans, eager to see their favorite online stars do their thang on a real stage. For fans that couldn’t make it out to the event, Downloaded was streamed live by LiveStream (formerly Mogulus) so nobody would miss out.
After performances by Tay Zonday, Iman “Alphacat” Crosson, David Choi, Kina Grannis, stand-up comedy from HappySlip, (Follow them on twitter: @davidchoimusic @happyslip @kevjumba @tayzonday) and Interscope recording artist Esmee Denters, the talent stuck around for a meet-and-greet with the fans. The mostly under-21 crowd pushed and screamed for autographs, CDs and to take pictures with their favorite acts of the night. And despite the late hour and travel schedule, they all stuck around to thank every last supporter that came out.
As a case study for growing talent online, Downloaded was a resounding success. Record labels and talent scouts should take notice. Instead of grinding it out in small clubs, playing for 20 people, bands and comedians can work their kinks out online, build an audience, and perform to voracious audiences ready to pay real cash to see them perform live. Even more impressive is the fact that the event was organized in less than two weeks, and promoted by the artists using social media tools and creating their own contests for fans to win tickets.
Will the real world pay real world dollars to see web-grown talent? Hells yeah!