Ladies and gentlemen, start your freaking out. In the December issue of Spin magazine, Bono reportedly claims that the iTunes Music Store will be selling U2 concert recordings from the forthcoming tour. (He also mentions that The Complete U2 digital box-set will include the band’s lyrics, which is another first for Apple, who have never delivered non-music content alongside their downloadable tracks). His exact words after the jump…
“We will do a commercial with Apple for our album, and no money will change hands, which is important, because we have been offered boatloads of money from many other people. But we will make an Apple commercial that’s as good as any video. And next year, you will be able to go to a U2 show and download the concert onto your iPod. We’re going to make a digital box set, where you can get every U2 album and every U2 B-side and every U2 lyric, all at once. We want to do this because we like their company.”
Note the future-tense of Bono’s statement; it is possible that this is an old quote, and it might’ve described the shape of things before the Apple deal was finalized, so it’s not 100% take-it-to-the-bank confirmed. But it’s certainly an exciting thought anyway… U2tours got the scoop. And nice redesign, may we add! It’s a time of high fashion on the U2 web. 😉
Slow down there, captain.
Bono didn’t say you’ll be able to buy live tracks from the iTunes Music Store. He said “you will be able to go to a U2 show and download the concert onto your iPod.” iPod and iTunes are not one in the same.
To me, that sounds like you can bring your iPod to the show, plug it in at a kiosk or something, and download the show. Similar to those “Burn-a-CD-of-tonight’s-show” booths that have been popping up the past year or so at concerts. (See here: http://talk.livedaily.com/showthread.php?t=407067)
Also (just a minor quibble here) this is not the first time Apple has delivered non-music content alongside tracks. Every song purchased on iTunes is attached with an image of the album cover. Adding lyrics to an mp3 file has always been possible simply by adding them to the file’s ID3 tag. But it is a nice little plus.
Slow down there, captain.
Bono didn’t say you’ll be able to buy live tracks from the iTunes Music Store. He said “you will be able to go to a U2 show and download the concert onto your iPod.” iPod and iTunes are not one in the same.
To me, that sounds like you can bring your iPod to the show, plug it in at a kiosk or something, and download the show. Similar to those “Burn-a-CD-of-tonight’s-show” booths that have been popping up the past year or so at concerts. (See here: http://talk.livedaily.com/showthread.php?t=407067)
Also (just a minor quibble here) this is not the first time Apple has delivered non-music content alongside tracks. Every song purchased on iTunes is attached with an image of the album cover. Adding lyrics to an mp3 file has always been possible simply by adding them to the file’s ID3 tag. But it is a nice little plus.
You know, I was going to add a note about artwork for all the pedants out there, but I figured I’d let somebody in the comments box correct me on it. ;-D
And yes, what you’re describing is possible, but it seems more believable to me that Apple would use its existing music-content-delivery infrastructure, rather than introduce an entirely new — and costly — system. And if Apple was moving into post-concert music delivery in such a fashion, I suspect that news would have wound up in the music trade press before now — that’s a hot-button topic, as Apple would be taking on ClearChannel, the owners of DiscLive, the current leader/pioneer in that market. So yeah, it’s possible that there will be a kiosk arrangement, but the iTMS seems more likely.
You know, I was going to add a note about artwork for all the pedants out there, but I figured I’d let somebody in the comments box correct me on it. ;-D
And yes, what you’re describing is possible, but it seems more believable to me that Apple would use its existing music-content-delivery infrastructure, rather than introduce an entirely new — and costly — system. And if Apple was moving into post-concert music delivery in such a fashion, I suspect that news would have wound up in the music trade press before now — that’s a hot-button topic, as Apple would be taking on ClearChannel, the owners of DiscLive, the current leader/pioneer in that market. So yeah, it’s possible that there will be a kiosk arrangement, but the iTMS seems more likely.
Agreed, Chris. iTunes Music Store downloads do seem more likely. But I’d caution that you’re making some significant assumptions in your original post. Bono didn’t say they’d be offering all their concerts available at the iTMS–in Spin or anywhere else. Only you did.
All we know is that the band is planning some way for fans to get copies of shows, according to Bono. Maybe it’ll be a full-blown archive of every show U2 ever played, including Dick Evans’ four-track recording from the first Feedback rehearsal in Larry’s garage. Maybe Apple will just be setting up a card table and two iMacs at the Wachovia Center, right between Greenpeace and Amnesty. We just don’t know.
But hey, what the hell. This is just a U2 rumor, after all. I’ll lighten up now. I will admit, whatever they do will be pretty cool. In fact, downloads at the concerts would probably be better for all of us, since they’d undoubtedly be uploaded to the Web minutes after every show, free for the taking. Instead of the $10+ per they’d likely be at the iTMS.
Agreed, Chris. iTunes Music Store downloads do seem more likely. But I’d caution that you’re making some significant assumptions in your original post. Bono didn’t say they’d be offering all their concerts available at the iTMS–in Spin or anywhere else. Only you did.
All we know is that the band is planning some way for fans to get copies of shows, according to Bono. Maybe it’ll be a full-blown archive of every show U2 ever played, including Dick Evans’ four-track recording from the first Feedback rehearsal in Larry’s garage. Maybe Apple will just be setting up a card table and two iMacs at the Wachovia Center, right between Greenpeace and Amnesty. We just don’t know.
But hey, what the hell. This is just a U2 rumor, after all. I’ll lighten up now. I will admit, whatever they do will be pretty cool. In fact, downloads at the concerts would probably be better for all of us, since they’d undoubtedly be uploaded to the Web minutes after every show, free for the taking. Instead of the $10+ per they’d likely be at the iTMS.
I actually really like the idea of being able to plug your iPod into the wall somewhere after the concert and download the whole thing onto it.
The burning cds afterwards that you see done now is cute, but extremely impractical. Personally, I’m not sure if I’d mind putting down a tenner for the exclusive privilege of downloading the full thing then and there and legally on top of that. In fact, I think it’s a HUGE market yet to be explored.
In the past, there have always been the bootlegs, some amazing recordings, but also some that have dismal sound quality but still sold for a horrendous amount of money. All illegally, of course, and the band never saw any of it. Now, you see bootlegs being traded extremely rapidly using Bit Torrent/Soulseek/whatever. Now at least the bootlegger doesn’t make as much money out of it, but the artist/record company still doesn’t make any money out of it either.
If I were a high profile artist like U2, I’d be eager to team up with a company like Apple to explore a technology like this, and make sure some of the “live” profits come back to me.
Thinking about it, it doesn’t sound like a too complicated thing to do, and I’d really like to see where this goes.
I actually really like the idea of being able to plug your iPod into the wall somewhere after the concert and download the whole thing onto it.
The burning cds afterwards that you see done now is cute, but extremely impractical. Personally, I’m not sure if I’d mind putting down a tenner for the exclusive privilege of downloading the full thing then and there and legally on top of that. In fact, I think it’s a HUGE market yet to be explored.
In the past, there have always been the bootlegs, some amazing recordings, but also some that have dismal sound quality but still sold for a horrendous amount of money. All illegally, of course, and the band never saw any of it. Now, you see bootlegs being traded extremely rapidly using Bit Torrent/Soulseek/whatever. Now at least the bootlegger doesn’t make as much money out of it, but the artist/record company still doesn’t make any money out of it either.
If I were a high profile artist like U2, I’d be eager to team up with a company like Apple to explore a technology like this, and make sure some of the “live” profits come back to me.
Thinking about it, it doesn’t sound like a too complicated thing to do, and I’d really like to see where this goes.
Technically speaking, with an iPod it wouldn’t work and that’s why i’m inclined to agree with Chris’s interpretation of what Bono said. If I plug my iPod into another computer, iTunes on that machine will want to erase what’s on my iPod (no!) and replace it with whatever is in iTunes on that computer.
Of course, we could just be talking about Mp3 players in general when we’re saying ‘iPod’, but since it’s Apple and U2 – chances are it’ll have something to do with the iPod.
The technology is already there with iTunes Music store. Haven’t other bands done this already? (Pearl Jam?)
Technically speaking, with an iPod it wouldn’t work and that’s why i’m inclined to agree with Chris’s interpretation of what Bono said. If I plug my iPod into another computer, iTunes on that machine will want to erase what’s on my iPod (no!) and replace it with whatever is in iTunes on that computer.
Of course, we could just be talking about Mp3 players in general when we’re saying ‘iPod’, but since it’s Apple and U2 – chances are it’ll have something to do with the iPod.
The technology is already there with iTunes Music store. Haven’t other bands done this already? (Pearl Jam?)
There’s no ambiguity here. This whole Ipod deal is just a fad. I think hip-hop is STILL a fad. (The hip-hop community can take over MTV all they want-it can’t stop the march of time.) These two fads are NOT new things. Ipod is another version of a walkman (when was the last time you used a cd walkman?). Bob Dylan was a rapper in his time. Why not marry the two fads into something where it’s EASY to put a Dylan song next to a RunDMC tune.
There should be a U2 Ipod because it’s all about customizing your music. But what happens when we stop obsessing over U2’s music…won’t that U2 ipod become kind of annoying to look at…and would we get a R.E.M ipod or 100 Yr Old Songs Ipod? Maybe U2’s goal is to fill an Ipod completely with tunes (as someone kind of suggested by reaching WAY back into their past and pulling up every live performance from their upcoming tour) and pushing out any and all competition…kind of like totalitarianism for the 21st century…you have to admire their longevity and desire to continue to be present in the mainstream music industry.
I think U2 have always groped for something to make them seem COOL to listen to and that will SELL THEIR TUNES…but I’ve never thought of playing THEIR music at max volume while going down the street in my car with it’s overpriced sound system and oversized BASS sending vibrations all over the neighborhood…nah, it’s just not cool, man. I think the Ipod deal was great for them BECAUSE they already have a HUGE internet presence and a HUGE desire from their fans to capture their live stuff…so why not capitolize on it…and listening to U2 while sitting waiting for a doctors appointment is very appropriate. Gets you in the mood. “…some days are better than others…”(U2-Zooropa)
There’s no ambiguity here. This whole Ipod deal is just a fad. I think hip-hop is STILL a fad. (The hip-hop community can take over MTV all they want-it can’t stop the march of time.) These two fads are NOT new things. Ipod is another version of a walkman (when was the last time you used a cd walkman?). Bob Dylan was a rapper in his time. Why not marry the two fads into something where it’s EASY to put a Dylan song next to a RunDMC tune.
There should be a U2 Ipod because it’s all about customizing your music. But what happens when we stop obsessing over U2’s music…won’t that U2 ipod become kind of annoying to look at…and would we get a R.E.M ipod or 100 Yr Old Songs Ipod? Maybe U2’s goal is to fill an Ipod completely with tunes (as someone kind of suggested by reaching WAY back into their past and pulling up every live performance from their upcoming tour) and pushing out any and all competition…kind of like totalitarianism for the 21st century…you have to admire their longevity and desire to continue to be present in the mainstream music industry.
I think U2 have always groped for something to make them seem COOL to listen to and that will SELL THEIR TUNES…but I’ve never thought of playing THEIR music at max volume while going down the street in my car with it’s overpriced sound system and oversized BASS sending vibrations all over the neighborhood…nah, it’s just not cool, man. I think the Ipod deal was great for them BECAUSE they already have a HUGE internet presence and a HUGE desire from their fans to capture their live stuff…so why not capitolize on it…and listening to U2 while sitting waiting for a doctors appointment is very appropriate. Gets you in the mood. “…some days are better than others…”(U2-Zooropa)
Week #47 – City Of Blinding Lights
Artist: U2Track: City Of Blinding Lights Album: How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb Released: November, 2004 Download: City Of Blinding Lights – Sample / ~2.3Mb, 2:20 Mins As you’ll probably know from juggernaut of slick advertising lately, U2 are due to r…
Week #47 – City Of Blinding Lights
Artist: U2Track: City Of Blinding Lights Album: How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb Released: November, 2004 Download: City Of Blinding Lights – Sample / ~2.3Mb, 2:20 Mins As you’ll probably know from juggernaut of slick advertising lately, U2 are due to r…
If this is deal of selling concert shows on iTMS is true, I would imagine it would work somewhat like previous iTMS promotions and how their gift certificates work. Their Pepsi free song giveaway relied on a code on a winning game piece that you had to enter in the iTMS and allowed you to download any song. It wouldn’t be too difficult to generate codes that would be sold at U2 concerts and. People would the purchase the code at the shows at a kiosk of some type , go home, enter the code a code redemption page on iTMS, and the code would allow the user to download the songs from that show where the code was purchased. It would be very much like purchasing a gift certificate but in this case, the gift certificate would restrict the songs you could download to the songs from the show.
If this is deal of selling concert shows on iTMS is true, I would imagine it would work somewhat like previous iTMS promotions and how their gift certificates work. Their Pepsi free song giveaway relied on a code on a winning game piece that you had to enter in the iTMS and allowed you to download any song. It wouldn’t be too difficult to generate codes that would be sold at U2 concerts and. People would the purchase the code at the shows at a kiosk of some type , go home, enter the code a code redemption page on iTMS, and the code would allow the user to download the songs from that show where the code was purchased. It would be very much like purchasing a gift certificate but in this case, the gift certificate would restrict the songs you could download to the songs from the show.