SAN BRUNO, CA (November 6, 2008) – YouTube™, the leading online video community for people to discover, watch, and share originally created videos, has added to the talent lineup of YouTube Live, the company’s first official live community celebration. The in-person audience of thousands will experience some of the site’s renowned musicians, bedroom vloggers, side-splitting comedians and world-class athletes at Herbst Pavillion in Fort Mason on November 22. The event will also be streamed live on YouTube at the same time, enabling millions from around the globe to partake in the festivities. To sign up for a chance to get tickets or to tune in on the day of the event, visit http://youtube.com/live.
YouTube Live will honor the most groundbreaking, creative, and buzzworthy videos and individuals from the site’s early days through today. Previously announced participants include internet born stars Soulja Boy Tell ‘Em and Esmee Denters, Grammy Award winners’ Will.I.Am and Akon, and Discovery Channels’ MythBuster stars Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman. New acts scheduled to join this lineup include known performers such as:
• Katy Perry – Music’s top rising star, Katy’s song “I Kissed a Girl” reached #1 in the US as well as in 20 countries across the globe. A hit in its own right, the song became a YouTube sensation by spawning hundreds of parody videos created by users around the world. Her popularity shows no signs of slowing, as the song she’ll be performing, “Hot N Cold,” quickly climbed into the top 5 on Billboard.
• Fred – Since bursting onto the scene less than a year ago, the hyperkinetic Fred Figglehorn, with anger management issues and all, has racked up viewers and subscribers in record fashion. In his first six months the hilarious videos skewering childhood’s biggest fears have amassed more than 135 million video views and 625,000 subscribers, making Fred the all-time number one most subscribed channel in YouTube history.
• Jon M. Chu and The League of Extraordinary Dancers – No YouTube event would be complete without a dance-off, and Step Up 2 The Streets director Jon M. Chu has been front and center for some of YouTube's most celebrated dance videos, including the biggest online dance battle in YouTube history between the Miley Cyrus/ Mandy Jiroux Cru and his ACDC. He's bringing his unique choreographic style to the event by introducing his most ambitious project yet: The League of Extraordinary Dancers.
• Brandon Hardesty – Best known for his spot-on re-enactments of scenes from Hollywood’s most beloved films, Hardesty has quickly become a favorite not only of the YouTube community, but also of Jimmy Kimmel for whom he did a series of recreations leading up to this year’s Academy Awards.
• Joe Satriani – YouTube is a haven for aspiring guitar aficionados hoping to glean techniques from the masters. Few can rival Satriani’s skill, but millions continue to try as videos of the guitar legend rank among the site’s most popular and most commented.
• Bo Burnham – One of YouTube’s most talented young performers, Bo’s original songs are as funny as they are catchy. In addition to more than 20 million views, the 18-year-old comedian has released a best-selling EP, taped an upcoming HBO comedy special, and signed a deal to write a feature-length movie musical for producer Judd Apatow.
• MC Hammer – A pioneer in combining dance and hip-hop, three-time Grammy Award winner MC Hammer remains a powerful influence in music, as evidenced by the hundreds of YouTube videos in which users attempt to emulate his unique dance skills.
• The Spinto Band – Independent music is alive and well on YouTube, as evidenced by the ongoing success of this Wilmington, Delaware rock act. Their wistful harmonies and creative videos have generated some great response, with fans uploading their own versions alongside the band’s official entries.
• Katers 17 – Among the most popular UK YouTube personalities and recently signed to a contract for Starburst, Katers 17 represents the truly global nature of YouTube, bringing her Anglo style and unique Britishisms to her homespun videos.
In addition, a YouTube Live event will be held in Tokyo, extending the celebration to the other side of the Pacific Ocean.
"YouTube Live is the first time a broad variety of YouTube stars are scheduled to appear together under one roof,” said Chris Di Cesare, Head of Marketing for YouTube. “There have been so many wonderful talents that have emerged from YouTube and more established acts continue to recognize how invaluable YouTube is to building their audience. We felt it was only right to recognize them all in true YouTube fashion.”
YouTube also announced today that this inaugural event will be Executive Produced by former MTV veteran Salli Frattini and her newly-formed company, Sunset Lane Entertainment. Frattini is no stranger to charting new courses for entertainment broadcast productions and specials, as she started working at MTV in 1988 and is credited for transforming a then-fledgling franchise into a pop culture icon and annual cool kudofest: the MTV Video Music Awards.
More about → Rock Out With Katy Perry, Party with Fred, and Hit the Dance Floor With
Soulja Boy Tell Em
YouTube Live will honor the most groundbreaking, creative, and buzzworthy videos and individuals from the site’s early days through today. Previously announced participants include internet born stars Soulja Boy Tell ‘Em and Esmee Denters, Grammy Award winners’ Will.I.Am and Akon, and Discovery Channels’ MythBuster stars Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman. New acts scheduled to join this lineup include known performers such as:
• Katy Perry – Music’s top rising star, Katy’s song “I Kissed a Girl” reached #1 in the US as well as in 20 countries across the globe. A hit in its own right, the song became a YouTube sensation by spawning hundreds of parody videos created by users around the world. Her popularity shows no signs of slowing, as the song she’ll be performing, “Hot N Cold,” quickly climbed into the top 5 on Billboard.
• Fred – Since bursting onto the scene less than a year ago, the hyperkinetic Fred Figglehorn, with anger management issues and all, has racked up viewers and subscribers in record fashion. In his first six months the hilarious videos skewering childhood’s biggest fears have amassed more than 135 million video views and 625,000 subscribers, making Fred the all-time number one most subscribed channel in YouTube history.
• Jon M. Chu and The League of Extraordinary Dancers – No YouTube event would be complete without a dance-off, and Step Up 2 The Streets director Jon M. Chu has been front and center for some of YouTube's most celebrated dance videos, including the biggest online dance battle in YouTube history between the Miley Cyrus/ Mandy Jiroux Cru and his ACDC. He's bringing his unique choreographic style to the event by introducing his most ambitious project yet: The League of Extraordinary Dancers.
• Brandon Hardesty – Best known for his spot-on re-enactments of scenes from Hollywood’s most beloved films, Hardesty has quickly become a favorite not only of the YouTube community, but also of Jimmy Kimmel for whom he did a series of recreations leading up to this year’s Academy Awards.
• Joe Satriani – YouTube is a haven for aspiring guitar aficionados hoping to glean techniques from the masters. Few can rival Satriani’s skill, but millions continue to try as videos of the guitar legend rank among the site’s most popular and most commented.
• Bo Burnham – One of YouTube’s most talented young performers, Bo’s original songs are as funny as they are catchy. In addition to more than 20 million views, the 18-year-old comedian has released a best-selling EP, taped an upcoming HBO comedy special, and signed a deal to write a feature-length movie musical for producer Judd Apatow.
• MC Hammer – A pioneer in combining dance and hip-hop, three-time Grammy Award winner MC Hammer remains a powerful influence in music, as evidenced by the hundreds of YouTube videos in which users attempt to emulate his unique dance skills.
• The Spinto Band – Independent music is alive and well on YouTube, as evidenced by the ongoing success of this Wilmington, Delaware rock act. Their wistful harmonies and creative videos have generated some great response, with fans uploading their own versions alongside the band’s official entries.
• Katers 17 – Among the most popular UK YouTube personalities and recently signed to a contract for Starburst, Katers 17 represents the truly global nature of YouTube, bringing her Anglo style and unique Britishisms to her homespun videos.
In addition, a YouTube Live event will be held in Tokyo, extending the celebration to the other side of the Pacific Ocean.
"YouTube Live is the first time a broad variety of YouTube stars are scheduled to appear together under one roof,” said Chris Di Cesare, Head of Marketing for YouTube. “There have been so many wonderful talents that have emerged from YouTube and more established acts continue to recognize how invaluable YouTube is to building their audience. We felt it was only right to recognize them all in true YouTube fashion.”
YouTube also announced today that this inaugural event will be Executive Produced by former MTV veteran Salli Frattini and her newly-formed company, Sunset Lane Entertainment. Frattini is no stranger to charting new courses for entertainment broadcast productions and specials, as she started working at MTV in 1988 and is credited for transforming a then-fledgling franchise into a pop culture icon and annual cool kudofest: the MTV Video Music Awards.