DigiTour
Genrepop, rock, alternative rock, hip hop
Location(s)United States, Canada, United Kingdom
Years active2010–2018
Founded byMeridith Valiando Rojas, Christopher Rojas
Attendance2011: 3,500
2012: 6,000
2013: 18,000
2014: 110,000
2015: 300,000

DigiTour Media was a touring and social media festival production company, known for producing the world's first social media tour.[1] DigiTour events were held in venues such as theaters, amphitheaters, and parking lots or fields upon which the stages and other structures were erected. The tour began as a showcase for social media stars from YouTube, but its roster of performers expanded to include Vine, Twitter, and Instagram stars as well as traditional pop music stars.

Overview

DigiTour Media would produce live events and unique content that featured some of the most popular acts on YouTube.[2] DigiFest NYC, a full-day festival property formerly owned by DigiTour, was typically held on the first Saturday of June in New York City.[3] Many of the acts at DigiTour events would not get their music played on the radio, yet they would continually sell out DigiTour's multiple events with their tens of millions of fans.[4]

DigiTour successfully secured multiple brand sponsorships from companies such as Intel, Google, Sony, and Gibson.[5] On May 15, 2014, the company announced strategic investments from Ryan Seacrest and Advance Publications, parent company of Conde Nast.[6]

The company has been seemingly dormant since about 2018, with no announcement for any tours or events in the time since.[citation needed]

History

DigiTour Media was founded in 2010 by music executive Meridith Valiando Rojas and multi-platinum music producer Christopher Rojas.[7] DigiTour has produced over 70 events as of 2013,[8] including all-day festivals, which feature 40–80 artists, as well as month-long tours.[9]

The first DigiTour took place in 2011 and was sponsored by YouTube.[10] The 27-city tour began with a multi-camera livestream at the Google Headquarters in Mountainview, California, on April 8, 2011.[10] Top musician Britney Spears attended the opening night of the tour at the El Rey Theater.[11]

The second DigiTour took place in 2012 and traveled to 18 cities including Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Orlando, Toronto, and New York City.[12]

The first DigiFest took place on June 1, 2013, at Terminal 5 in New York City and was headlined by Pentatonix and Allstar Weekend.[3] DigiTour 2013 showcased the most popular British YouTube personalities. Over 11,000 fans attended shows in Chicago, Toronto, Philadelphia, and New York.[13]

DigiFest LA took place on December 14, 2013, and was dubbed the largest YouTube music festival by Just Jared.[14] The event featured over 50 performances and was headlined by rapper Hoodie Allen.[15] Teen actors Bella Thorne, Madison Pettis, Blake Michael, and Jake Short also made on-stage appearances, with James Maslow of Big Time Rush and Darren Criss of Glee in attendance.[16][17]

Nearly 100,000 fans attended DigiTour events in the United States, Canada, and Europe in 2014.[18] The company and Disney Music Group formed in June 2017 RMI Recordings, a new label for "digital-first" talent.[19]

Notable performers

Notable DigiTour and DigiFest entertainers include:

References

  1. ^ DigiTour Media LLC (2013-04-17). "The DigiTour Presents: DigiFest NYC - June 1st at Terminal 5". PRLog. Retrieved 2014-05-21.
  2. ^ "Meridith Valiando Is Bringing YouTube To Concert Halls". Forbes. 2012-02-18. Retrieved 2014-05-21.
  3. ^ a b "DigiFest NYC is Kicking Off the DigiTour!". Fanlala.com. 2013-05-01. Archived from the original on 2014-05-12. Retrieved 2014-05-21.
  4. ^ Coscarelli, Joe (2014-04-20). "The Weird World of Internet Fame - New York Magazine". Nymag.com. Retrieved 2014-05-21.
  5. ^ "Hello® Teams Up with The DigiTour for Digifest LA 2013". Reuters. 2013-12-12. Archived from the original on 2014-05-12. Retrieved 2014-05-21.
  6. ^ Todd Spangler (2014-05-15). "Ryan Seacrest, Advance Publications Invest in DigiTour, a YouTube Concert Promoter". Variety. Retrieved 2014-05-21.
  7. ^ "Meridith Valiando Is Bringing YouTube To Concert Halls". Forbes. 2012-02-18. Retrieved 2014-05-21.
  8. ^ "The Youtube Music Festival DigiFest hits NYC June 1st". SoundCtrl. Retrieved 2014-05-21.
  9. ^ "The DigiTour: YouTube's First Ever Tour!". Kidzworld.com. 2011-02-17. Retrieved 2014-05-21.
  10. ^ a b "Official Blog: The DigiTour: Live from Google HQ!". Youtube-global.blogspot.com. 2011-04-07. Retrieved 2014-05-21.
  11. ^ "Britney Spears Goes Undercover at L.A. Concert | E! Online UK". Eonline.com. 2011-04-13. Retrieved 2014-05-21.
  12. ^ "DigiTour 2012 Brings YouTube Music Stars To Stage". hypebot. 2012-02-18. Retrieved 2014-05-21.
  13. ^ "The British Are Coming to DigiTour 2013". Business Wire. 2013-08-28. Retrieved 2014-05-21.
  14. ^ "Bella Thorne, Rebecca Black and Noah Cyrus hit DigiFest LA - PICS". Sugarscape. Retrieved 2014-05-21.
  15. ^ "Hello® Teams Up with The DigiTour for Digifest LA... - MONTCLAIR, N.J. and LOS ANGELES, Dec. 12, 2013 /PRNewswire/". Prnewswire.com. 2013-12-12. Retrieved 2014-05-21.
  16. ^ "We Got to Check Out DigiFest LA 2013". Fanlala.com. 2013-12-17. Archived from the original on 2014-05-12. Retrieved 2014-05-21.
  17. ^ "James Maslow | alexisjoyvipaccess". Alexisjoyvipaccess.wordpress.com. 2013-12-21. Retrieved 2014-05-21.
  18. ^ Jarvey, Natalie (2014-05-15). "Ryan Seacrest Adds YouTube Event Firm DigiTour to Investment Portfolio". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2015-03-07.
  19. ^ Gensler, Andy (June 20, 2017). "Disney Music and DigiTour Media Co-Founders Launch RMI Recordings Label: Exclusive". Billboard. Retrieved October 22, 2018.
  20. ^ Huet, Ellen (May 7, 2015). "Want To Hug A Social Media Teenage Heartthrob? Get In Line And Pay Up". forbes.com.
Categories