In 2020, artist Kid Cudi launched a startup called Encore as a “mobile-first live music experience”, with plans to help artists post music, chat to fans and host live shows. Now it has officially launched its Encore Studio App product, and confirmed a $9m seed-funding round led by VC firm Battery Ventures.
The company says that hundreds of artists have already put its technology through its paces during its private beta, performing live with fans able to watch, vote in polls, message artists and pay them by spending 10 cents to ‘clap’ during shows.
Encore says that during the private beta, fans have “collectively clapped almost a million times” – which by our reckoning means around $100k of spending.
So, Encore now has two mobile apps. Encore: Interactive Live Music is the app that fans use, while the new Encore Studio: Live Music AR app is the one artists use to put on their performances.
Its launch follows Encore’s announcement in December 2021 of a ‘creator program’ to build a community of artists on its service.
Note, Encore the AR performances app should not be confused with Encore the live bookings agency, which we wrote about in November when it announced plans to become carbon-negative.
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