Apple and Live Nation Launch New Concert Downloads Via iTunes

[MacRumors]

Concert promoter Live Nation today announced that it has partnered with Apple to launch a new initiative focused on audio and video recording of live concert events for distribution via Apple's iTunes Store. Apple has also launched a dedicated section of the iTunes Store to feature the content.

Live Nation, the world's largest live music company, has joined with the iTunes Store (www.itunes.com), the world's #1 music retailer, to launch a new live music program, which debuted today. Live Nation Studios will now offer exclusive recorded and filmed concerts from its network of "wired" venues for purchase and download only on iTunes. Exclusive live recordings from OK Go, Jesse McCartney, Saving Abel, A Fine Frenzy, Duffy, Plain White T's and Ziggy Marley, to name a few, have been released this week, with many more to follow.

Live Nation notes that it has "wired" more than 80 venues in its network of concert sites, providing the infrastructure to allow performers to easily extend the live concert experience to recorded audio and video content.

Article Link: Apple and Live Nation Launch New Concert Downloads Via iTunes

[SydneyDev]

Quite a surprise. I don't recall hearing any rumors about this one.

[Mercer]

I hope theres some decent venues being used, hopefully will get some good bands!

[alent1234]

did Metallica do this this first with livemetallica.com or did they copy someone? I remember they were usually the last ones to take advantage of new technology

[slu]

Awesome. This is the type of innovation that is needed to keep the music business going.

I just wish some smaller venues are included. The big Live Nation venues are not going to have many acts that I am interested in buying, but it is a start.

If it makes money, you'll see all sorts of venues doing this and/or all sorts of bands doing this themselves. Exactly what Pearl Jam and Phish have been doing for years, but at a greater scale.

I hope it succeeds.

[powers74]

So Apple.

[rwilliams]

I like this idea quite a bit. Now let's hope that there are some interesting artists taking part in this.

[philoscoffee]

The content isn't currently available in the UK iTunes Store. Is it US only?

[nkawtg72]

oh good god. two negatives already?! get over yourselves people. within 10mins of any post there are always 4 negs. i'm willing to bet it's the same 4 schmucks every time.

[crobi222]

WOW that's amazing, with the Apple TV it will be very usefull.

But my question is:

Is it only US? and Canada?

Also the most important point for me, the concert are in HD or not?

[lunarworks]

Not available in Canada. Damn.

There have been amazing concerts I've been to that I wish had been recorded.

[crobi222]

Sorry nkawtg72

but it's only US, of course it will be a negative comment. Also no HD as I see.

In the end of 2009 how can you sell Video without HD, The apple TV can be plug only on a flat screen.

I don't understand.

But having video concert on iTunes it's awsome. But need to be HD

[rhett7660]

Does live nation promote music in canada and/or the u.k.? I don't think that should make a difference for the content but maybe for the recording of said content.

[dont24]

Originally Posted by crobi222

Sorry nkawtg72

but it's only US, of course it will be a negative comment. Also no HD as I see.

In the end of 2009 how can you sell Video without HD, The apple TV can be plug only on a flat screen.

I don't understand.

But having video concert on iTunes it's awsome. But need to be HD

I have to agree. No HD means I'll pass. Won't pay for a crappy SD concert.

[stagi]

Cool going to check out whats available now

[JonHimself]

Originally Posted by alent1234

did Metallica do this this first with livemetallica.com or did they copy someone? I remember they were usually the last ones to take advantage of new technology

I know Metallica offers audio from all their shows - don't think video though. I'm not sure who was first, but I know Pearl Jam sold physical CDs of their shows too - and I think do it all online now.

[fakiekid]

this is great, I've always wanted a pay-per-view tv channel that does this exact thing!

[utwarreng]

I hope you can get them in audio-only, and also have them broken up by individual songs. This would be great for my iPod as I love listening to live music, but may not care for each individual song.

[ThunderSkunk]

Awesome!

But, is there really a difference between Pop, Alternative Rock, & Rock? I mean really. There's a difference between Classical, Blues, Jazz, Gospel, & Folk. But Rock, Pop, Alternative (to what?) just regurgitate bits of each.

[bradl]

I hope this hits the UK store.

Primarily for me, I'd give LiveNation the big F U as well, except I would love to hear some of the other acts from Donnin^H^H^H^H^H^HDownload Festival. If it hits the UK store, at the least that means that they'd have something from UK shows.

BL.

[CrzyCanuck72]

This is a great idea, but it means nothing unless they get some bigger names up there. I never buy off iTunes, but I'd pay to download last night's Coldplay or DMB concert.

[gr1Mo]

Wow this is a fantastic idea, excellent actually.

[Bubba Satori]

Excellent. Hopefully older concerts will be available eventually.

[LagunaSol]

Sweet, "live" music without the hassles. I'm in. (Though of course you can never really replicate that live sound or experience.)

But should choreographed, lip-synced concerts that are more bad dance revues than musical events really be called "live music?" Hopefully they will be somewhat selective with their live content - so we won't see any Britney in this section of the store anytime soon...

[shen]

Live Nation sucks, and they and maybe 2 other players are the reason tickets are so damn much and I can't afford to see bands I like and even if I could they don't play near me. However...

...this is pretty damn smart, and if they keep the price reasonable and and start adding shows regularly they are going to (finally) be getting my money. Very smart move.