Clear Channel Entertainment has had a test run of Instant Live in Boston area clubs. The new service offers the concertgoers the opportunity to purchase and walk away with a CD of the concert they just attended before they leave the venue. Fans who didn't make it to the concert or who don't buy the concert CD on-site can buy Instant Live CDs at designated Boston area Best Buy stores, the exclusive retailer of Instant Live in Boston, and online at BestBuy.com beginning mid May.
"Instant Live is an exciting new project for us because it provides benefits for both the concert-goer and the artist," says Brian Becker, chairman and CEO of Clear Channel Entertainment. "Fans can get greater enjoyment from the concert experience with a recording of a performance they've just attended, and touring or emerging artists have the opportunity to extend their creative impact and strengthen their connection to the fans."
Clear Channel Entertainment is currently recording Instant Live CDs of select concerts in Boston, and CDs will be recorded and offered soon at select concert events across North America in advance of the program's national rollout.
"This is about more than just technology expanding our ability to bring live entertainment to music fans in new forms," adds Steve Simon, Instant Live project director and executive vice president at CCE. "We are leveraging technology, in this case with Instant Live, to improve the concert experience for fans and enhance the connection between them and their favorite artists."
"One of our goals at Best Buy is to bring our customers exciting entertainment offerings, and Instant Live is an innovative way for us to do that," said Rick Soskin, vice president of business development for Best Buy. "With Instant Live, you never have to miss a concert again. Whether you buy the CD at the venue after the show or in one of our stores, you can enjoy the unique experience of live music over and over again."
Instant Live concerts are recorded using a combination of ambient microphones and feeds from the soundboard. The program employs state-of-the-art technology to duplicate, package and deliver CDs in as few as five minutes after a show. Fans are given the option of pre-ordering the CD when they purchase their concert tickets, purchasing the CD without a pre-order immediately following the performance, or going to Best Buy and buying the CD in the store.
Local Boston radio stations WFNX-FM and WXRV-FM are excited by Instant Live CDs and the early response from fans. These stations have made commitments to play Instant Live tracks from local artists on their local music shows.
The Samples, 2 Skinnee J's, Jen Durkin and the Bomb Squad, Spookie Daly Pride, Hybrasil and Machinery Hall are the first to have CDs recorded and produced and sold through Instant Live.
"I, for one, would rather have a live CD of the show that I can take home than a T-shirt," Irving Azoff told the New York Times. Noting that concert concession sales are down, Azoff added, "I think it's the future of the touring merchandising business." Azoff says he has been in talks with Clear Channel about having Instant Live available at a tour of classic rock bands he’s promoting this summer, which includes Journey and REO Speedwagon. His main concern is if the company can process enough CDs for a larger crowd.
CCE To Produce Debut Coors Light Mountain Jam
Coors Brewing Company, in cooperation with Clear Channel Entertainment, will promote the first-ever Coors Light Mountain Jam at the Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, CO. A day-long, end-of-the-summer festival of music and activities on August 30, will feature performances by 50 Cent, The Doors 21st Century, Korn, Evanescence, P.O.D., The Roots, DMC, American Hi-Fi, Gov't Mule, Groove Armada (DJ set) featuring live percussion with Patrick Bongo Jesus and Toots and the Maytals, with additional acts to be announced. Tickets are $50.
The Coors Light Mountain Jam will also feature a DJ stage showcasing the best talent on the turntables, a ski and snowboard demonstration tent true to Rocky Mountain heritage, and a "chill-out" lounge to take a break from the non-stop action – all developed and managed on-site by CMI, Clear Channel Entertainment's event marketing agency.
"We're thrilled to bring the inaugural Coors Light Mountain Jam at Red Rocks to all music fans at a great price," said Dan Rosenbluth, brand manager for Coors Light. "We've got an amazing multi-genre lineup of the biggest names in music. There is no place else to be on August 30 than at Red Rocks."
"There's nothing quite like an outdoor music festival to celebrate the end of the summer season," said Bruce Eskowitz, president, National Sales & Marketing, Clear Channel Entertainment. "We worked with Coors Light to provide some of the most exciting musical acts and other on-site entertainment to create an event that fans will be talking about for years to come."
