Before last week, you would’ve needed an Internet connection to hear her voice.
And before last week, she would’ve needed to scan the comments section to hear your applause.
Like many budding YouTube talents, 18 year-old Safa Liron never performed outside of her tiny bedroom in Rotterdam, Holland. Known for covering pop artists from Rihanna to Ariana Grande, even mixing an original track of her own, the young singer-songwriter has attracted a horde of faithful fans since joining the video-sharing site in 2012. But Safa, a supermarket cashier, desperately needed a big break.
Of course, she wasn’t the first artist -- and certainly won’t be the last -- to be in such an unenviable position. Today, thousands of musicians flock to YouTube’s stage trying to get discovered. However, Safa recently joined the elite ranks of those who have succeeded in doing so.
Empowered by Vodafone Firsts, Safa headlined her first live gig at Amsterdam’s Sugar Factory on Mar. 3. And the night of the show, her devoted following -- both at home and abroad -- came out in spades.
For the first time, Safa could feel the energy of a packed venue and the butterflies that come with being live and uncut, completing her transformation from dreamer to performer. As Safa herself will tell you, counting the “likes” on a video doesn’t hold a candle to seeing your fans’ reactions in person. “I want to do this a million times!” she said.
Below, you can relive Safa’s impossible ascension to stardom in an original short film, Safa’s First Applause, presented by Vodafone Firsts.