Some of the most enthusiastic audiences I have witnessed in the many concerts I get to attend are the ones for artists that got their start on YouTube. If past shows are any indication Sunday night’s show at the Skyway Theatre will be another one of those, when YouTube sensation Alex Aiono and headliner Wiliam Singe come to town. Some tickets are still available HERE
William Singe (born Liam Anthony Singe) got his start in Australian boy band the Collective, the third place finisher on X-Factor Australia’s fourth season in 2012. Growing up in Forestville, a suburb just outside of Sydney, the young Maori-Australian Singe was inspired by his father, a guitarist, bassist, and singer/songwriter from New Zealand. Singe and his Collective bandmates released one self-titled album after the X-Factor in 2012 and toured into 2014, when the group disbanded. Though he was the rapper of the Collective, his singing ability helped him gain online exposure with acoustic R&B covers of Justin Bieber, Fetty Wap, Alessia Cara, TLC, Adele, and his most popular, Drake’s “Hotline Bling.”
In early 2016, L.A.-based artist Alex Aiono had already amassed a following of millions creating his own “flipped” versions of popular songs. From a one room apartment, where he and his family of six lived, he created his own stage. But then he posted a video where he performed a cleverly arranged mashup of Drake’s “One Dance” and Nicky Jam’s “Hasta el Amanecer.” Revealing his soulful vocals, effortless charisma, and flawless skills at making beats and playing guitar, the video fast went viral and amassed more than 50 million views. For all its catchy perfection, Alex’s “One Dance” mash-up only hints at the scope of his talents.
Not only a passionate musician (as well as an accomplished hip-hop dancer and boxer), Alex currently hosts two Radio Disney shows and starred in the online YouTube series Royal Crush, a show which helped transform the landscape for youth market multi-channel network platforms. Originally from Phoenix, he first explored his love of music as a little kid. “Growing up, music was one of the biggest things my family bonded over, whether it was singing in church or just jamming out at home,” says Alex. “Whatever the circumstances, my Pop always made it very easy for us to take on any instrument—we grew up with a piano in the house, guitars, drums, bass, ukulele, violins, everything; and it all just spoke to me. I was always trying new things and learning about theory, so when I pick up an instrument I have this understanding of how to use it.”
Tour Dates:
Feb 18 Chicago. IL The Riv
Feb 19 Minneapolis, MN Skyway
Feb 22 Vancouver, BC Vogue Theatre SOLD OUT
Feb 23 Portland, OR Crystal Ballroom
Feb 24 Seattle, WA Showbox SOLD OUT
Feb 26 Sacramento, CA Ace of Spades SOLD OUT
Feb 27 Santa Cruz, CA The Catalyst
Feb 28 San Francisco, CA The Warfield
Mar 1 San Francisco, CA The Warfield SOLD OUT
Mar 3 Los Angeles, CA The Novo SOLD OUT
Mar 4 Los Angeles, CA The Novo
Mar 5 Las Vegas Brooklyn Bowl
Mar 8 Denver, CO Gothic Theatre
Mar 10 Houston, TX Warehouse Live
Mar 12 Dallas, TX South Side Music Hall
Mar 13 Tulsa, OK Cain’s Ballroom
Mar 15 Columbia, MO The Blue Note
Mar 16 Lawrence, KS Granada Theatre
Mar 19 Louisville, KY Mercury Ballroom
Mar 20 Nashville, TN Marathon Music Works
Mar 21 New Orleans, LA Joy Theater
Mar 23 Tampa, FL Ritz Ybor
Mar 24 Ft. Lauderdale Revolution
Mar 26 Orlando, FL Plaza
Mar 27 Atlanta, GA Buckhead Theatre
Mar 29 Philadelphia, PA Electric Factory
Mar 30 Washington, DC The 9:30 Club
Apr 1 Toronto, ON The Phoenix SOLD OUT
Apr 2 Toronto, ON The Phoenix
Apr 4 Santa Ana, CA The Observatory OC
Apr 5 San Diego, CA The Obsevatory SD
Apr 7 Honolulu, HI The Republik
Apr 8 Honolulu, HI The Republik SOLD OUT
Apr 9 Kahului, HI Castle Theater
