Apple Music Festival Bringing Pharrell, One Direction, and More to London

[MacRumors]

Apple today announced its 2015 Apple Music Festival lineup for next month, a free concert series that will bring Pharrell, One Direction, Florence + The Machine, and more to London's Roundhouse. A revamped version of the previous iTunes Festival, the 2015 version will see a scaled-down lineup with ten dates from September 19-28, down from the usual 30 nights extending throughout the month.

Apple will broadcast performances to music fans around the world for free, which can be viewed live and on-demand on Apple Music. The Apple Music Festival lets fans get even closer to their favorite performers with coverage on Beats 1? alongside backstage news and footage straight from the artists on Apple Music Connect.

"We wanted to do something really special for music fans this year," said Eddy Cue, Apple's senior vice president of Internet Software and Services. "The Apple Music Festival is a greatest hits set of ten unbelievable nights featuring some of the best performers on the planet appearing live and interacting directly with their fans on Connect and Beats 1."

With only a handful of artists announced so far, the remainder of the concert schedule will be filled out in the coming weeks. MacRumors has heard Take That will be part of the lineup, but Apple did not include the band in its initial round of announcements.

Admission for all concerts is free, but only UK residents can apply to win tickets with additional passes being made available through media partner giveaways.

Article Link: Apple Music Festival Bringing Pharrell, One Direction, and More to London

 

[JamonBull]

Great! A perfect event to compliment Apple's new music service. They'll be able to stream this live on Beats 1!

 

[JoshuaPlays]

I'm sad it's being scaled down, but I'm really glad it's still being put on. I was afraid it may not be kept around with the introduction of Apple Music.

 

[Speedy Dingo]

Apple MUSIC Festival - so why is 1 Direction there?

 

[OllyW]

The bands announced so far seem to be very mainstream.

I tried following the links to explore the festival to have a look if there are any more interesting bands scheduled to appear but got this error message in iTunes...

Which is interesting as I am running iTunes 12.2 or later...

I'm not signed up to an Apple Music membership though. Are Apple restricting ticket applications to Apple Music members?

 

[byke]

Take that have lost some of its members, One direction has lost some of its members, iTunes Festival has lost more of its credibility.

 

[TsMkLg068426]

This would be great if Apple Music was on Apple TV so we can watch on TV.

 

[Mums]

Pop music has gotten so bad and lame that it has finally lost my interest.

 

[till213]

Only 10 nights?! Apple Music sure must suck big balls...

 

[Simche]

If only Scandinavian people could apply for a ticket... We're so close to UK!

 

[till213]

They'll be able to stream this live on Beats 1!

You mean, "live stream" as in "they did that for the past 100 years already"? Wow, innovation my azz!

 

[ToM7]

so iTunes festival is dead & now it's called apple music festival?

2007-2014 R.I.P?!

 

[rctlr]

huh, applied for tickets:

 

[OllyW]

This would be great if Apple Music was on Apple TV so we can watch on TV.

Most of the previous iTunes Festivals were shown live on the Apple TV and the Apple Music festival page in iTunes confirms that this years performances will also be shown on the Apple TV.

At the launch it was said that Apple Music will be coming to the Apple TV this Autumn.

 

[moxxham]

Shame Lady Gaga isn't playing this year...she was brilliant in 2013. Same with Sigur Ros, they were awesome! Come to think of it, the 2013 iTunes festival had a brilliant lineup. Florence + The Machine will should be good this year though

 

[Winni]

I must be getting old: I don't know any of these kids. Never heard of them, never seen their faces and most likely never even heard their music (or whatever it is they do). I'm definitely not the kind of customer that Apple Music is trying to attract.

 

[Macgeda]

Pop music has gotten so bad and lame that it has finally lost my interest.

I agree completely. Just for once I would love to see new talents being pushed and supported by the Festival series than pouring yet more fame and money into the cup of mainstream stars. But I might be missing the point of iTunes Festival completely. Maybe it is just that: A mainstream marketing event for the music industry and iTunes.

 

[Reason077]

Nice to see that the festival formally known as iTunes festival is still happening (albeit in a much scaled-back form). I guess they've just been super busy with the whole Apple Music thing.

I live near the Roundhouse and thought the writing was on wall after they started schedule other events during September.

 

[NightFox]

huh, applied for tickets:
View attachment 575810

I heartily approve of the use of "awry" in error messages

 

[NightFox]

The bands announced so far seem to be very mainstream.

I tried following the links to explore the festival to have a look if there are any more interesting bands scheduled to appear but got this error message in iTunes...
View attachment 575805
Which is interesting as I am running iTunes 12.2 or later...
View attachment 575806
I'm not signed up to an Apple Music membership though. Are Apple restricting ticket applications to Apple Music members?

I get similar on my PC - the link just takes me to the download page for iTunes, even though I'm running 12.2.2.25 (with Apple Music). However, it works fine on my Mac. I'm guessing they just messed up their version check to allow the Mac version but forgot the Windows version. But you're not missing anything as the application process seems to be broken for now anyway.

 

[rctlr]

It used to be 30 days, now only 10 - does this mean it's got too expensive to run or cannot find enough bands to fill 30 days?

They could have used this to showcase new/upcoming UK artists using the stage as well as music, encouraging both artists and audience to use the platforms. Im sure there's plenty of new London talent that would jump at the chance.

 

[Reason077]

I agree completely. Just for once I would love to see new talents being pushed and supported by the Festival series than pouring yet more fame and money into the cup of mainstream stars. But I might be missing the point of iTunes Festival completely. Maybe it is just that: A mainstream marketing event for the music industry and iTunes.

The iTunes (Apple Music) Festival has always had a mix of mainstream and lesser-known, indy artists.

One Direction might not be your thing, but Disclosure and Florence + The Machine, while successful artists, can hardly be called mainstream pop stars. The lineup is designed to be diverse and have a wide appeal, not necessarily just to your specific personal demographic!

It looks like there must be more artists yet to be announced, as the festival is billed as starting on Sept 19th, but the first act is scheduled on the 22nd.

 

[prowlmedia]

Apple MUSIC Festival - so why is 1 Direction there?

music
ˈmjuːzɪk/
noun
Vocal or instrumental sounds (or both) combined in such a way as to produce beauty of form, harmony, and expression of emotion:

Unfortunately this has them covered. Same with Death Metal, Grime, Hymns, Tuvan Throat Singing and other forms of Dirge.

 

[Reason077]

I'm not signed up to an Apple Music membership though. Are Apple restricting ticket applications to Apple Music members?

No, I applied for tickets using the iOS Music app and it worked fine. I haven't yet activated my Apple Music free trial.

 

[rctlr]

@prowlmedia Just take back what you've just said about death metal and Tuvan Throat Singing. Have you not heard the two together?
Yes, there is.