It seems like just yesterday we were talking about how excellent it would be to download a live performance almost as soon as you leave the concert (it was last week). One performer that would definitely be at the top of our list is Bruce Springsteen. The Boss is renowned for his lengthy concerts, and for busting out B-sides and covers that you won't hear at any other date during his tour. His fans may be in luck.
Springsteen and crew will be rolling out the download concept when he sets out on an upcoming tour across South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. Concertgoers will be able to purchase the concert in mp3 format for $9.99, or in FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec) for $14.99. According to statements from The Boss, downloads should be ready within 48 hours of concert's end.
"The Internet has become our friend," he said in an interview with NPR. "We started out as being very, very controlling. Now it's just a different playing field and so it's exciting."
Still, there are a lot of questions left to be answered, and some of the details have fans in an understandable tizzy. The initial statement on the topic told fans that they'd be required to purchase a $40 USB wristband before they could purchase the download of a concert. Other bands, including Pearl Jam and Metallica, have offered the optional downloads for years, and for much less than what Springsteen is charging. If there's something that we're not getting, the star's camp isn't clarifying anything at this point. Jon Landau, manager for The Boss, wrote an e-mail in response to an angry petition from Springsteen fans and told them that more details would be rolling out in the future.
His tone suggested the upcoming details would sweeten the deal, but we'll see.
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