Breakthrough Performance? Virtual Pop Star Skye Galaxy Wows Ze Frank and 1000s During Star-Filled Online Fundraiser

Skye Galaxy has been known and loved by Second Life live music fans for over a year, and for good reason: We've said he's "destined to become Second Life's first breakout popstar" and a "popstar in waiting". The waiting may be over. During an online, live music fundraiser for Pakistan disaster relief earlier this month, UK star Imogen Heap was unable to perform at the last minute (on account of hurricane), so a call went up for people watching the feed to sing in Ms. Heap's stead. From somewhere in the heart of Texas, Skye replied through his real world name, Sean Ryan. Which is how he wound up doing this spectacular Imogen Heap cover, which clearly surprised and dazzled the fundraiser host, Internet celebrity Ze Frank:

Which is how Skye Galaxy wound up sharing a performance bill with Ben Folds, Zoe Keating, and other top stars who also performed.

"[I] shook like a leaf through the entirety of the few moments I had there," he tells me by email, "plastered on the screen of hundreds of strangers all here for music and the hope of bettering lives left in shackles by natural disaster." It was, he says, "One of the most memorable days in my life."

Unsurprisingly, the performance inundated him with Twitter followers and other instant fans -- and given the quality of the folks involved in the fundraiser, perhaps interest from people who might catapult him to the next level of his career. And if this is the moment for Sean Ryan's star to shine for the rest of the world, we'll remember his early days as an avatar popstar who gained a following by the thousands, with original tracks, and head-turning covers that strongly compete with the original. Seriously, watch this cover of Bjork's "Joga" he performs in SL:

More news on the rise and rise of Sean Ryan/Skye Galaxy, hopefully soon.

Much mahalo to ColeMarie Soleil for the tip!

 

Comments

[Jura Shepherd]

Very nice. Seized an opportunity and knocked it right out of the ballpark. Bravo!

[Keiko]

THIS KID IS MAGICAL. It's about time he gets a break!

[Magnus Brody]

I've followed Skye from his very early days performing in SL, he was astonishingly good then and just keeps getting better and better.

I agree with Jura, he took the opportunity, totally flew with it, and the reaction of the clearly astounded host of the show made my day - and hopefully Sean's too.

Sean is a very talented guy and not just talented, he's a great lad. Absolutely well done and very well deserved too.

[Wizard Gynoid]

i've been following skye since cypress rosewood turned me on to him. he is truly a rare talent. and the RL world needs to know about him. the RL world will i'm certain, and soon.

[Scarp Godenot]

That was great! Thanks for showing it our way! Trouble with hearing him in sl is getting into one of his maxed out sim shows.

[Michelle Leckrone]

I have no doubt that he will do well he's not just a good a singer he plays music in different way I love it when he especially goes all film eke

[Clairwil Oh]

Skye, your voice is a marvelous instrument. It is always a pleasure to hear you sing in SL. Like ColeMarie Soleil, you both make me cry. Thank you for sharing your gifts with the world. Regards, Clairwil Oh.

[Arcadia Codesmith]

There is a powderkeg of talent in SL, and all it takes is a spark to blow the lid off.

Keep sparkling, Skye :)