Overview
Azeem Ward’s Flute Recital refers to a Facebook event page for a flute recital performed by University of California student Azeem Ward, which was flooded with RSVPs from Facebook users in the United Kingdom in May 2015.
Background
On April 20th, 2015, the UC Santa Barabara YouTube channel uploaded footage of student Azeem Ward playing the contemporary classical flute solo (shown below).
In May, Ward posted an event announcement on Facebook[2] to promote a free recital on May 16th at 3pm in the Karl Geiringer Hall at the University of California Santa Barbara. The event subsequently began receiving a flood of RSVPs from Facebook users in the United Kingdom, receiving over 80,000 by May 15th (shown below).
Notable Develoments
Ward’s Response
On May 13th, Ward posted a message to the event page thanking all his fans in the United Kingdom. On the following day, The Tab published an interview with Ward, who revealed that the
Online Reaction
On May 13th, a petition was created on Change.org[3] for Ward to livestream the recital for his fans in the United Kingdom. In the first 48 hours, the page gained over 800 signatures. Additionally, a crowdfunding page was launched to fly Ward to the United Kingdom to play the song “Sandstorm” by Darude at a Nando’s restaurant.[4]
On May 14th, YouTuber TheRealSnare uploaded a remix of Ward’s flute solo with the 2013 hip-hop song “Gas Pedal” by Sage the Gemini (shown below, left). The same day, Redditor Gloob_Patrol submitted a post asking “Why is everyone talking about Azeem’s flute recital?” to the /r/OutOfTheLoop[7] subreddit. On May 15th, YouTuber Sam Hershy uploaded a version of Ward’s flute solo video edited to sound as if he is playing “Sandstorm” by Darude (shown below, right). The same day, a Facebook[5] page titled “Azeem Ward” was launched, gathering upwards of 1,600 likes in the first 10 hours.
News Media Coverage
In the coming days, several news sites published articles about the viral Facebook event page, including The Daily What,[6] Metro,[8] Daily Nexus[9] and LAist.[10]
Search Interest
Not available.
External References
[1]UCSB– Student Recital Azeem Ward
[2]Facebook – Recital Event Page
[3]Change.org – Live stream of Senior Flute Recital for the UK fans
[4]Crowdfunder – Azeem to play Darude
[5]Facebook – Azeem Ward
[6]The Daily What – Meme of the Day – The Internet Turned Azeem Wards Flute Recital at UCSB Into the Performance of a Century
[7]Reddit – Why is everyone talking about Azeems flute recital
[8]Metro – Azeem Wards senior flute recital
[9]Daily Nexus – Azeem Ward – Overnight Flute Sensation
[10]LAist – Brits Are Going Bonkers Over College Kids Flute Recital